LOCATIONS
LAND
18 Sep 19. Smiths Detection opens office at Imperial College London’s White City campus. Global threat detection and security technologies company, Smiths Detection today announces the opening of an office at Imperial College London’s White City Campus within the I-Hub, with the intention of establishing a research and development (R&D) partnership between the two organizations. Imperial’s co-working facility in the I-Hub provides a space for Smiths Detection’s scientists and engineers to work more closely with the Colleges network of academics and researchers on cutting edge technologies for the defence and security markets.
Smiths Detection’s new office adds to Imperial’s larger initiative to create a hub that focuses on security research, innovation and engagement led by the Institute of Security Science and Technology (ISST). Smiths Detection will be sitting amongst other innovators in the field who have already established offices at White City, including Airbus, Saab and DASA.
“Imperial are looking to bring together some of the top innovators in the field to help address pressing security challenges facing society,” said ISST Deputy Director, Deeph Chana. “Smiths Detection brings a strong homeland security presence to the I-Hub.”
Smiths Detection reinvests around 6 percent of revenue per year into R&D, and regularly partners with leading universities from around the world to help solve problems and collaborate on the development of technologies. However, establishing an office in such a space is a first for the company.
“At Smiths Detection, we’re dedicated to developing innovative products and technologies that address our customer’s needs,” said Smiths Detection Vice President for Technology, Matt Clark. “Working in this space with Imperial provides us with the opportunity to accelerate technology development through fresh thinking and diverse ideas.” (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
17 Sep 19. CACI Expands Technology and Expertise Investments in Texas Technology Corridor. Opens New Port San Antonio, Austin, and Capital Factory Facilities to Focus on Advanced Cybersecurity, Next-Gen Communications, and Deep-Learning. CACI International Inc (NYSE: CACI) announced today further expansions of its presence in the Texas Technology Corridor, marked by the Sept. 20, 2019 opening of a new office in Port San Antonio, a recent office expansion in Austin, and plans to create new space in the Capital Factory technology incubation hub in Austin. CACI engineers and experts working in these new and expanded facilities will increase the company’s support of the cybersecurity and technology needs of the region’s defense, intelligence, academic, and civilian communities.
CACI will use the new 8,000-square-foot Port San Antonio facility to collaborate with the U.S. Air Force and other government customers in the region to provide research and development of full-spectrum cybersecurity and cyberspace solutions. Over the next five years, CACI expects to hire additional cyber professionals, including software and systems engineers, cyber architects, intelligence analysts, and others, in the San Antonio area to meet the growing demand for cyber-related technologies.
The new San Antonio facility further expands support CACI offers to several important military programs at Joint Base San Antonio. The facility will also assist CACI’s continued participation in the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) National Security Collaboration Center. Following the Sept. 20 ribbon cutting, UTSA researchers will discuss collaboration opportunities with CACI’s Global Research Network, a secure infrastructure of communications technologies and testbeds where CACI can host cyber research with the government, universities, and other private entities.
In Austin, CACI recently opened a new 55,000-square-foot facility where a 200-person team supports signals intelligence and electronic missions conducted by the U.S. Army, Navy, and intelligence community. These missions include ground-based processing stations for Naval Air Systems Command EP-3, P-8 and MQ-4C TRITON aircraft, as well as other signals intelligence capabilities.
Kevin Kelly, President of CACI’s National Security and Innovative Solutions sector, said, “CACI’s substantial investments in San Antonio and Austin further demonstrate our commitment to grow our support of our customers, including the Air Force’s cyber and C4ISR elements in Joint Base San Antonio, NSA in Texas, and the U.S. Army Futures Command based in Austin.”
CACI also debuted as the newest Innovation Council partner at Austin’s Capital Factory, a technology hub that serves as the center of gravity for entrepreneurs in Texas. The company sponsored an August Community Showcase where it presented the latest innovations in next-generation communications, deep-learning, and counter-drone technologies. CACI has also established an office in the Capital Factory to stay connected to this innovation ecosystem. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
MARITIME
18 Sep 19. Russia to start building Mistral-class replacement in 2020. Russia will start building a new class of amphibious ships in 2020 to replace two French-designed Mistral-class vessels that were blocked from being delivered in 2014 by international sanctions. The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has now approved the inclusion of the project in its 2018-2027 State Armaments Programme (GPV), according to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Oleg Ryazantsev. In comments reported by state news agency TASS on 17 September, Ryazantsev told attendees at the Neva-2019 forum in St Petersburg that the “creation of a universal amphibious ship for the navy has been included in the state programme for armaments. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
18 Sep 19. Argentina’s OPV programme makes progress. Argentina’s offshore patrol vessel (OPV) programme is making progress, with the first Argentine crew of 32 officers and ratings preparing to move to France to take over the first of four vessels. The OPV deal between French shipbuilder Naval Group and the Argentine government was officially confirmed in December 2018. The contract, worth EUR319m (USD353m), finally came into force on 14 February, when Argentina made an initial payment of EUR112.454m. The programme covers the purchase of L’Adroit – built to the OPV-87/Gowind design as a private venture by Naval Group between 2010 and 2011 and used by the French Navy between 2012 and 2018 – and the construction of three additional ships to the same basic design, with small changes to fit Argentine requirements. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
17 Sep 19. Rolls-Royce produces MT30 gas turbine for Japan’s 30FFM frigate. Rolls-Royce has produced an MT30 gas turbine for the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force’s (JMSDF) 30FFM frigate. The marine gas turbine is the 50th MT30 to come off the company’s build line and is intended to be delivered to Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) in Japan. Once the MT30 is received, KHI will build and assemble it into a compact package engine enclosure. The new turbine will be the second MT30 to be delivered to Japan. The two MT30s will be part of eight engines for the 30FFM Batch 1 programme.
Rolls-Royce Defence Pacific Rim senior vice-president Sam Cameron said: “Japan has traditionally been one of the principal users of Rolls-Royce marine products, particularly gas turbines, so they are a very important customer and delivering the 50th MT30 is a very important milestone. We look forward to continuing to grow the footprint of the MT30 in the region. MT30 is now on nine programmes globally, seven of which were conceived in the 21st century so it’s clear that the MT30 has become the engine very much tomorrow’s platforms.”
After the installation, KHI will put the 30FFM propulsion system under an integrated shore trial. The company is expected to deliver the MT30 gas turbine to the shipyard in Japan in 2020. In May last year, JMSDF selected Rolls-Royce to supply the MT30 for the 30FFM frigates.
Japan became the fifth country to choose the marine gas turbine solution. The turbine also powers other naval platforms, including the US Navy’s Freedom-class littoral combat ship and DDG-1000 destroyer, the UK Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, and the Type 26 global combat ship.
The MT30, which entered service in 2008, is also the preferred solution for the Republic of Korea Navy’s Daegu-class frigate and the Italian Navy’s landing helicopter dock.
Rolls-Royce Naval Systems chief engineer Richard Partridge said: “The engine is capable of providing up to 43mw of power from a very small package and this allows really good and new choices in terms of system and platform design, as well as operational aspects.”
The first 30FFM-class frigate is anticipated to enter service with the JMSDF in 2022. (Source: naval-technology.com)
17 Sep 19. Final Air Warfare Destroyer Sydney prepares for delivery to Navy. Osborne is a flurry of activity as the final checks are conducted on the final air warfare destroyer Sydney as the AWD Alliance prepares to hand the ship over to the Royal Australian Navy.
The Australian Defence Force’s third Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD), Sydney, has commenced its first phase of sea trials, which will test the ship’s hull, propulsion and navigation systems.
The initial trial phase will be followed by a more advanced phase of sea trials in October to test the ship’s combat and communications systems in preparation for delivery next year.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds highlighted the role of industry as a fundamental input to capability and supporting the delivery of the future HMAS Sydney.
“Over the past decade, more than 5,000 people from across the Department of Defence, ASC, Raytheon Australia and Navantia have dedicated millions of hours of work towards delivering the most capable warships ever to be operated by the Royal Australian Navy,” Minister Reynolds said.
Minister Reynolds added, “This is underpinned by over 2,700 suppliers who have supported the AWD Alliance in its efforts to expand Australian industry capability for the overall program.”
AWD Alliance general manager Paul Evans echoed the comments by Minister Reynolds, saying, “Our highly skilled Air Warfare Destroyer workforce has taken Sydney to sea at the greatest level of completion, capability and quality of all three destroyers at this stage.”
Australia’s Hobart Class guided-missile destroyers (DDG) are based on Navantia’s F100 Alvaro De Bazan Class of frigates and incorporate the Lockheed Martin Aegis combat management system with Australian-specific equipment to ensure that the RAN is capable of defending Australia and its national interests well into the next two decades.
“This is a remarkable achievement by all involved, from ASC, Raytheon Australia, the Commonwealth and Navantia. Together, this team is delivering the Royal Australian Navy with their most capable warships that are providing the outer tier of integrated air and missile defence for Australia,” Evans added.
The vessels will be capable across the full spectrum of joint maritime operations, from area air defence and escort duties, right through to peacetime national tasking and diplomatic missions.
The Hobart Class Combat System is built around the Aegis Weapon System, incorporating the state-of-the-art phased array radar, AN/SPY 1D(V), and will provide an advanced air defence system capable of engaging enemy aircraft and missiles at ranges in excess of 150 kilometres.
While based upon the Spanish F100s, the Australian vessels incorporate a number of modifications and Australian-specific structural/design and combat system modifications to provide a uniquely Australian surface combatant with international provenance.
“We look forward to delivering this ship to the Navy next year to complete their fleet and continue providing world-leading force protection for Australia,” Evans said.
Minister Reynolds added, “Through the AWD program, we have created a local workforce with specialist shipbuilding and complex systems integration skills that will form the foundation for future shipbuilding projects in Australia.” (Source: Defence Connect)
AIR
18 Sep 19. Boeing begins building first KC-46A for Japan. Boeing has begun building the first of two KC-46A Pegasus tanker-transport aircraft for Japan, the company announced on 17 September. The loading of a 25m-long wing spar into the company’s 767 production facility at Everett in Washington state marked a major milestone for the programme’s first, and to date only, export customer. Boeing was awarded a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract for one KC-46A aircraft and logistics services for Japan in December 2017. The US Air Force (USAF) exercised an option for Japan’s second aircraft in December 2018. Japan selected the KC-46A under its KC-X aerial refuelling competition in October 2015. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
18 Sep 19. FAdeA commences delivery of Pampa aircraft for Argentina. The Argentine Air Force (Fuerza Aérea Argentina: FAA) has received the first of a new batch of three FadeA IA-63 Pampa III advanced jet trainer/light strike aircraft. The delivery of the first aircraft, tail number A-703, took place on 13 September. It will be assigned to the FAA’s 6th Air Brigade (VI Brigada Aérea), based in Tandil, although it will be deployed to the country’s northern provinces to carry out border patrol operations. Jane’s reported on 11 March that the contract for the three aircraft is valued at ARS901.7m (USD21.9m). The Argentine media has reported that the next aircraft should be delivered in October and the last one by December. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
18 Sep 19. Leonardo unveils new troop transport AW149. Leonardo Helicopters has showcased a new troop transport variant of its AW149 helicopter as part of efforts to target legacy medium-lift helicopter operators as existing systems go out of service. Transport loads can vary depending on passenger requirements, with the platform able to take a maximum of 19 passengers or 16 equipped troops. Other configurations for the platform include search-and-rescue and combat search-and-rescue, with the latter layout providing space for two gunners at the cabin’s forward windows. Additionally, the revisions for the AW149 loadout can include special forces operations, casualty and medical evacuation, C4ISR, close air support, and cargo transport. Armaments options include two 7.62mm or 12.7mm machine guns, two external 20mm or 12.7mm gun pods, two 2.75 inch rocket launchers, or two anti-tank missile launchers. The company presented the platform at DSEI 2019 in London with a several advanced sensors, such as the MAIR missile warning system, SAGE electronic support measures system, and Osprey radar. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
18 Sep 19. Northrop Grumman building USAF’s B-21 Raider in Palmdale. The US Air Force’s (USAF) B-21 Raider stealth bomber is being built by Northrop Grumman at its facility in Palmdale, California, US. The announcement was made by the USAF Acting Secretary Matthew Donovan on 16 September during the Air Force Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland. The USAF’s B-2 Spirit bomber is also produced at the Palmdale facility.
Matthew Donovan also stated that the B-21 Raider will be tested at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB), California. The USAF will reactivate the 420th Flight Test Squadron to support testing of the bomber.
Donovan said: “The development of the B-21 Raider is on schedule and the first test aircraft is under production at the same production facility in Palmdale, California, as its predecessor, the B-2. The first flight of the Raider will take it from Palmdale to Edwards AFB, where the legacy of excellence will continue with the reactivation of the 420th Flight Test Squadron.”
Northrop Grumman is building the B-21 to provide the USAF with the capability to penetrate air defences to deliver precision strikes.
The USAF has stated that the B-21 bomber programme is transitioning to manufacturing development of the first test aircraft.
In May last year, the service announced that the bomber will replace B-1 Lancer and B-2 Spirit aircraft at three bomber bases.
The B-21 will operate out of Ellsworth AFB, South Dakota, Whiteman AFB, Missouri, and Dyess AFB, Texas.
In a statement, the USAF said: “These three bomber bases will continue their long heritage of equipping and supporting airforce Global Strike Command as they prepare for the arrival of the next-generation bomber.”
The first B-21 aircraft are expected to join the fleet in the mid-2020s. The USAF will continue to operate the existing bombers until it receives sufficient B-21s. The advanced aircraft will provide range, payload, and survivability and support the airforce’s future strike and deterrent capabilities. (Source: naval-technology.com)
16 Sep 19. MDHI confirms MD 530F deliveries to Kenya by end of year. Kenya will receive all six of the MD Helicopters Inc (MDHI) MD 530F Cayuse Warrior scout and light-attack platforms it ordered in 2018 by the end of this year, the manufacturer confirmed on 13 September.
This confirmation, which came as part of a wider sustainment and support contract announcement, means that the much-needed replacement for the Kenyan Army’s ageing MD 500 helicopters will be delivered slightly later than the originally announced April to August window.
Kenya ordered the six helicopters to re-equip the army’s 50th Air Cavalry Battalion. Once fielded, they will be flown against al-Shabaab and in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
According to MDHI’s contract notification for Kenya, the helicopters will be fitted with the FN Herstal Weapons Management System; the DillonAero Mission Configurable Armament System (MCAS); the DillonAero fixed-forward sighting system; 62mm ballistic armour protection; FN Herstal 12.7mm HMP 400 machine gun pods; and M260 seven-shot pods for 70mm rockets. They will also feature an enhanced communication system that includes the Harris RF-7850A and the Rockwell Collins HF-9000D radios. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
17 Sep 19. India’s LCA Tejas naval variant performs arrested landing. India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has conducted an arrested landing, an essential capability that will eventually enable the naval variant to operate from an aircraft carrier. The flight test was carried out at INS Hansa Goa, the shore-based test facility of the Indian navy.
A twin-seater variant was used for the test, although only one pilot, Commodore JA Maolankar, flew the sortie. The LCA achieved the critical milestone following several years of flight testing and four campaigns of dedicated testing at the Goa facility.
Several Indian agencies, including the scientific community Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), HAL (ARDC), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and CSIR Labs are associated with the programme.
With the successful test, India now joins a select group of countries with the ability to design a deck landing aircraft.
The Indian Ministry of Defence said in a statement: “Today, the first-ever arrested landing of LCA (navy) at the shore-based test facility, INS Hansa Goa took place, which will pave the way for this indigenous platform to undertake aircraft carrier landing demonstration on board the Indian naval aircraft carrier, Vikramaditya.”
DRDO officials told The Economic Times that the data from the flight test will now be assessed. Similar tests with different parameters will be conducted under a programme that will eventually test the LCA (Navy) on an aircraft carrier. Last year, the Indian Navy carried out a series of tests to assess the deck landing capability of LCA (Navy) at INS Hansa. (Source: naval-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
18 Sep 19. USFK says it is committed to returning military bases to South Korea. US Forces Korea (USFK) has announced that it is committed to returning US military installations to the South Korean government “as expeditiously as possible” amid Seoul’s push for an early return of more than two dozen US bases in the Northeast Asian country. USFK said in a statement on 18 September that 15 of the 26 US military installations, including four sites specifically requested for transfer at the earliest possible date – Shea Range (available since October 2012), Camps Eagle and Long (December 2010) and parcels of Camp Market (February 2015) – “have been vacated, closed, and available for transfer” to the South Korean government. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
18 Sep 19. USAF considering divesting B-1Bs in favour of B-21s, other bomber improvements. Key Points:
- The US Air Force is considering retiring some B-1B aircraft so it can spend that money on other bomber portfolio priorities
- These could include new B-52 engines and more B-21 aircraft earlier in the acquisition timeline
The US Air Force (USAF) is considering divesting Rockwell B-1B Lancer strategic bomber aircraft in favour of diverting that money towards getting additional Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider long range strike bomber (LRSB) aircraft up front and other bomber portfolio improvements.
USAF Chief of Staff General David Goldfein told reporters on 17 September that the B-1B has significant structural issues from being operated in the least optimal configuration for years, and that it would be cost prohibitive to return many of them to fully operational status. He said the B-1B was designed to fly at low altitude and at high speeds to penetrate enemy air defences and take out targets. The USAF has been flying the aircraft at medium altitude at very slow speeds and with wings forward for the past 18 years, which coincides with missions flown in uncontested airspace in Afghanistan and Iraq.
The USAF is therefore considering retiring those B-1Bs that could not be returned to fully operational status and diverting that money to bomber portfolio improvements including long-range precision strategic weapons and Boeing B-52 Stratofortress re-engining. New B-52 engines would not only keep the aircraft viable but would also decrease the service’s aerial refuelling tanker requirement, Gen Goldfein said. This will be important as the USAF will need to tackle the vast distances of the Pacific in near-peer competition in the region. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
18 Sep 19. USAF MG (frocked) Timothy D. Haugh for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general, and assignment as commander, Sixteenth Air Force, Air Combat Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. Haugh is currently serving as commander, Twenty-Fifth Air Force, Air Combat Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.
18 Sep 19. President Trump has named Robert O’Brien, the current top U.S. hostage negotiator, to be his fourth national security advisor.
“I am pleased to announce that I will name Robert C. O’Brien, currently serving as the very successful Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs at the State Department, as our new National Security Advisor,” Trump wrote in a tweet Wednesday morning. “I have worked long & hard with Robert. He will do a great job!”
Trump fired John Bolton, his previous national security advisor, in a tweet last week, following months of reports that he had fallen out with his more hawkish advisor. His first national security advisor, Michael Flynn, resigned over revelations that he had misled the vice president about his communications with the Russian ambassador. O’Brien, a lawyer by trade, served as a UN delegate under President George W. Bush. In the early days of the Trump administration, he was considered for the Navy Secretary job before taking on the hostage negotiator role. In 2015, Defense One profiled O’Brien, who was then advising Gov. Scott Walker’s early bid for the presidency. O’Brien previously had worked for Mitt Romney’s campaigns and failed to convince him to run a third time in 2016. The article described how O’Brien had split from his law partner and fellow Romney advisor Pierre-Richard Prosper, who was backing establishment candidate Jeb Bush, as an example of a perceived split among Republican foreign policy wings. (Source: Defense One)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
18 Sep 19. The Australian Defence Alliance-Victoria has announced the resignation of its CEO, Claire Willette, effective at the end of the month. Willette has accepted an undisclosed full-time role, with interim CEO Sean Farrell working to ensure a “smooth transition” to a new, yet to be appointed, full-time CEO.
“On behalf of the entire ADA Vic board, I would like to thank Claire for her stellar work running the organisation since January 2018,” ADA Vic chairman Damien Tyrrell said. “While we are sad to see her go, Claire leaves with our full blessing to take up another exciting opportunity. Claire’s tenure has been marked by numerous achievements for our members and SMEs nationally, the most important of which is modernising the organisation to make it more professional and responsive to members’ needs, and ensuring their interests are represented into government and primes.”
Willette will be staying on as an adviser to the board of ADA Vic, with Tyrell pointing out some of her achievements in her time as CEO. (Source: Defence Connect)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
17 Sep 19. The Financial Times has appointed Helen Warrell as defence and security editor, covering defence, cyber warfare and military disruption. Helen was previously public policy correspondent for the FT.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
17 Sep 19. Daon, a global leader in biometric identity technology, today announced that John Sanders has joined the company’s leadership team as President of Emerging Markets. Sanders will lead worldwide efforts for market expansion of Daon’s industry-leading identity platform capabilities. Over his 30-year career, Sanders has built a reputation as a driver of innovation and a trustworthy partner. He has been a key executive at three start-ups with a track record of success at working closely with customers, building sales revenue, and developing and deploying pioneering security technologies. As co-founder of Reveal Imaging Technologies, he was instrumental in growing the company from a start-up to an industry leader for security threat detection and screening solutions until its acquisition by SAIC. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
14 Sep 19. Electric Boat president Jeffrey Geiger will retire at the end of the month, with Kevin Graney taking over as the head of the General Dynamics subsidiary, the company announced Friday. Geiger has led Electric Boat since 2013. Graney has been serving as president of General Dynamics NASSCO, another GD owned shipbuilder, since the start of 2017. According to his bio, Graney started as an engineer on the Virginia-class submarine program with Electric Boat back in 1995 and has worked in a number of roles in the company since. Succeeding Graney at NASSCO will be David Carver, who is already at NASSCO as vice president. (Source: Defense News Early Bird/Defense News)
16 Sep 19. F-35 chief to run Lockheed aeronautics as Evans undergoes medical treatment. Greg Ulmer, head of Lockheed Martin Corp’s (LMT.N) F-35 fighter program, will temporarily lead the company’s aeronautics division while its current chief, Michele Evans, undergoes treatment for a “significant” medical issue, Evans told employees on Monday. Evans, 54, who took over as executive vice president of Lockheed’s largest division in October 2018, is widely seen as a leading candidate to succeed Marillyn Hewson, 65, as chief executive of Lockheed, the No. 1 U.S. arms maker.
The surprise announcement about Evans’ illness came at the start of the high-profile annual Air Force Association conference in Washington, and could raise questions about Lockheed’s succession planning. Evans was diagnosed with cancer several months ago but has continued to work while undergoing treatment, according to three sources familiar with the situation. Evans gave no details, but told employees about what she called “a significant medical issue” in a letter on Monday.
“While it’s certainly been an unexpected shock for me and my family, the prognosis is excellent and the condition is curable,” she wrote in the memo, a copy of which was viewed by Reuters.
She said she would remain engaged as much as possible, but Ulmer would serve as her delegate and acting executive vice president of the aeronautics division through late November, while she focused on her recovery.
Lockheed spokesman Joe LaMarca said the medical issue was discovered during Evans’ annual executive physical and follow-up with medical personnel.
“Her prognosis is excellent, the condition is treatable, and a full recovery is expected,” he said.
“Evans has been viewed as the leading internal candidate to succeed Marillyn Hewson, so people inside and outside the company will be following this story closely,” said Loren Thompson, a defense consultant with close ties to Lockheed.
Evans worked at multiple positions across Lockheed throughout her 32 years in the weapons industry, and plays a leading role in the company’s diversity initiatives.
Industry insiders and analysts say she is among the top candidates to succeed Hewson, given her age, strategic vision and broad range of experience across the company.
Lockheed last year changed its mandatory retirement age rules to exempt the CEO, allowing Hewson to stay on past this year. It has not named a chief operating officer to start the process of choosing a successor to Hewson, who last year topped Fortune magazine’s U.S. list of most powerful women.
Aeronautics, the largest of the company’s four divisions, reported a 15% increase in revenues to $11.13bn in the first half of 2019, with operating profit up 13% to $1.18bn in the same period.
With about 25,000 employees, Lockheed’s aeronautics division builds the F-35 stealth fighter, the C-130J transport plane, and a variety of other military aircraft. It also includes the company’s famed Skunk Works advanced development unit. (Source: Reuters)
18 Sep 19. Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) announces organization changes to its operating sectors to better align the company’s broad portfolio to serve its customers’ needs. There will be four operating sectors: Aeronautics Systems, Defense Systems, Mission Systems and Space Systems. The changes are effective Jan. 1, 2020.
In addition, Patrick M. Antkowiak, corporate vice president and chief strategy and technology officer, and Christopher T. Jones, corporate vice president and president of Technology Services, have announced their intent to retire.
“Chris and Pat have made significant contributions to Northrop Grumman,” Warden said. “Their leadership and commitment to our company and our customers have been instrumental in laying the foundation for our future success. I want to sincerely thank them for their leadership.”
The four operating sectors will be:
- Aeronautics Systems, an innovative manned and unmanned air system provider, with a proven track-record of systems engineering, manufacturing excellence and reliability. This sector will be led by Janis Pamiljans, current corporate vice president and president of Aerospace Systems.
- Defense Systems, a broad-spectrum provider of critical technology services, sustainment and modernization, including integrated battle command systems, directed energy, tactical weapons and information systems, focused on evolving threats and quick-turn requirements for a wide variety of national security, military and civilian customers. The sector will be led by Mary Petryszyn, current vice president and general manager, Land & Avionics C4ISR, Mission Systems.
- Mission Systems, a technology leader in open, cyber-secure, software-defined systems for defense and intelligence applications across multiple domains. This sector will be led by Mark Caylor, current corporate vice president and president of Mission Systems.
- Space Systems, a space and launch systems provider serving national security, civil and commercial customers. Blake Larson, current corporate vice president and president of Innovation Systems, will lead the Space Systems sector.
The changes announced today are not expected to have a material impact on the company’s 2019 financial results or guidance as updated in July 2019.
18 Sep 19. UTC technology chief Paul Eremenko steps down. The chief technology officer of United Technologies Corp (UTX.N), Paul Eremenko, has stepped down, just under two years after moving to the U.S. conglomerate from Europe’s Airbus (AIR.PA). The company confirmed the move in response to a query from Reuters after a person familiar with the matter said Eremenko was leaving UTC, the world’s largest aerospace supplier and owner of jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney.
“Paul Eremenko has informed us of his intention to pursue opportunities outside the company,” UTC spokeswoman Michele Quintaglie said by email.
Eremenko notified the company on Tuesday and his departure is effective immediately, she said. He could not be reached immediately for comment. As CTO, Eremenko led UTC’s technology and engineering business, Quintaglie said. Nicolas Pujet, part of UTC’s strategy team, will be interim leader of technology and engineering as UTC prepares for a merger with defense giant Raytheon (RTN.N), expected to close next year. (Source: Reuters)