LOCATIONS
MARITIME
24 Oct 19. Naval Group launches the construction of the first digital frigate for the French Navy. The steel-cutting ceremony of the first defence and intervention frigate (FDI) took place on the Naval Group site of Lorient. The ceremony was led in the presence of the Minister for Armed Forces, Florence Parly, the Head of the French Armament Directorate (DGA) Délégué général pour l’Armement, Joël Barre, the Chief of Staff of the French Navy Christophe Prazuck, the Chief of the Hellenic Navy Nikolaos Tsounis, many French officials and foreign delegations as well as Naval Group CEO, Hervé Guillou. The First of class will be delivered in 2023 and is part of a series of five vessels.
Sylvain Perrier, Naval Group Director of the FDI program declared during this event: “Today, after the successful completion of the initial studies and development phases, we are proud, to reach this first industrial milestone. This ceremony is the first for this major program for which, the DGA will be in charge of prime contract management to the benefit of the French Navy. Thanks to this program, Naval Group will also keep on developing its international exposure. This program will increase to fifteen the number of first-rank frigates of the French Navy, as planned in the French military spending plan (LPM). We were able to uphold our commitment thanks to the collaborative work model we adopted with our client and to the mobilisation of state and industrial actors.”
A digital multi-mission 4,500 tons-class frigate
The FDI is a high sea vessel with a 4,500 tons class displacement. Multipurpose and resilient, she is capable of operating, alone or within a naval force, through all of types of warfare: anti-surface, anti-air, anti-submarine and allows for special forces projection.
Strongly armed (Exocet MM40 B3C anti-surface missiles, Aster 15/30 anti-air missiles, MU90 antisubmarine torpedoes, artillery), the FDI is able to embark simultaneously a helicopter and an unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV). She can also receive a Special Forces detachment with their two commando boats. The FDI will be the first French frigate natively protected against cyber threats, with a Data Centre accommodating a great part of the ship applications. The FDI introduces the concept of a dedicated system for asymmetric threats warfare, distinct from the operation room. Located behind the bridge, it will lead asymmetrical warfare against air and surface threats such as mini-UAVs or tricked boats. The FDI which gathers the best of French technology in a compact platform. She is a powerful and innovative frigate, designed for facing evolving threats.
The design and production of the FDI build on the experience of the FREMM program: Naval Group benefits from the operational feedback given by the French Navy.
Key figures:
- Displacement: 4,500 tons class
- Length: 122 meters
- Beam: 18 meters
- Max. speed: 27 knots
- Autonomy: 45 days
- Accommodation: 125 + 28 passengers
A large-scale industrial collaboration that particularly mobilises the Naval Group site of Lorient
Five defence and intervention frigates (FDI) have been ordered in April 2017 by the Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) to the benefit of the French Navy.
The build of the first of class represents around one million hours of work for the teams of the Naval Group’ site of Lorient. Furthermore, it contributes to the economic development of its suppliers and subcontractors, to local employment around Lorient but also to the other Naval Group sites that brought their specific know-how to the program. The conception and development studies also represent around one million hours of work for the entire series.
Industrial key figures:
- A 100% digital conception – zero paper plans
- 1 million hours of production work for each unit of the series on the Naval Group’ site of Lorient
- 1 million hours of conception and development for the program
- 400 subcontractors
- 20km of tubes and 300km of cables for each FDI
Many export opportunities
The future frigate targets the intermediary tonnage ships segment for which there is an international demand. Thanks to its modularity, the ship can be configured to fulfil diverse missions depending on the expressed needs. Thus, with on the one hand the Gowind 2,500-tonnes corvette, on the other hand the 6,000-tonnes FREMM and now the FDI, Naval Group proposes a complete offer for strongly armed military ships.
A Letter of Intention was signed on the 10th of October 2019 by the Greek Minister of Defence, Nicolaos Panagiotopoulos and the French Minister for Armed Forces, Florence Parly. This announcement is in line with the strategic cooperation between the two countries and will allow a close dialogue in order to bring the best answer to the needs of the Hellenic Navy.
23 Oct 19. US approves second frigate for Bahrain. The US State Department has approved the sale of a second surplus Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate to Bahrain, the Defense Security Co-operation Agency (DSCA) announced on 23 October. The proposed deal is for the refurbishment of ex-USS Robert G Bradley, which was commissioned into US Navy service in 1984 and decommissioned in 2014. The DSCA put the estimated cost of the refurbishment, spares, support, and training at USD150m. It noted that the contractor that will perform the work has yet to be identified.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of an important ally, which is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” it said. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
16 Oct 19. Former PLAN frigates almost ready for handover to Bangladesh Navy. Two Type 053H3 (Jiangwei II)-class frigates decommissioned by China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) appear close to being transferred to the Bangladesh Navy (BN), judging from photographs that have appeared in Chinese online forums.
The 2,200-ton diesel-powered ships, formerly Lianyungang (pennant number 522) and Putian (pennant number 523), have been undergoing overhaul at the Shenjia shipyard in Shanghai and at facilities close to the East Sea fleet’s primary base at Zhoushan, respectively. Pennant numbers F 16 and F 19 have been painted on the hulls of the ships, which are likely to be renamed BNS Umar Farooq and BNS Khalid Bin Walid once in BN service.
The date for the handover of the ships to the BN as well as their departure from China has yet to be announced.
No obvious modifications have been made to the ships in preparation for the handover. In PLAN service their primary armament consisted of a twin 100 mm gun, eight YJ-83 anti-ship missiles fired from slant-mounted containerised launchers, an octuple launcher for HHQ-7 short-range surface-to-air missiles, and four twin 37 mm gun mountings. None of these have been removed, although the YJ-83 and HHQ-7 systems may have been modified in line with the C-802A and FM-90N export versions, particularly with regard to the missiles supplied.
The BN currently operates four frigates; an elderly Type 053H1 (Jianghu II)-class ship acquired from China in 1989, a modified Ulsan-class platform procured from South Korea in 2001, and two former PLAN Type 053H2 (Jianghu III)-class vessels transferred from China in 2014. It also operates two larger, 3,250-ton former US Coastguard Hamilton-class cutters, each armed with a 76mm Oto Melara gun, acquired in 2013 and 2015. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
23 Oct 19. US Navy to Commission Littoral Combat Ship Indianapolis. The US Navy commissioned its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, USS Indianapolis (LCS 17), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony Saturday, Oct. 26, in Burns Harbor, Indiana. The future USS Indianapolis, designated LCS 17, honors Indiana’s state capital and largest city. It will be the fourth ship to bear the name.
Lisa W. Hershman delivered the commissioning ceremony’s principal address. Jill Donnelly, wife of former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly of Indiana, is the ship’s sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when Mrs. Donnelly gives the first order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”
“This Freedom-variant littoral combat ship will continue the proud legacy created by ships previously bearing the name Indianapolis,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. “The crew will carry on the tradition of service to confront the many challenges of today’s complex world. To the men and women who will ring in the first watch, you carry with you the fighting spirit of incredible bravery and sense of duty that is inherently recognized with the name Indianapolis.”
The most recent Indianapolis was a Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine, commissioned Jan. 5, 1980, which served through the end of the Cold War before being decommissioned in 1998. The first Indianapolis was a steamer built for the U.S. Shipping Board (USSB) and commissioned directly into the Navy in 1918. After two runs to Europe, the ship was returned to the USSB following the war. It is the second Indianapolis (CA 35) – a Portland-class heavy cruiser – that is perhaps the best known of the three. Commissioned in 1931, its service ended when the ship was sunk by a Japanese torpedo minutes after midnight July 30, 1945. Only 317 of the 1,196 sailors serving aboard the ship survived after five days afloat in the Pacific. But it was the ship’s impressive war record that first brought it to the attention of Navy leaders and the American public. The ship saw action in the Aleutians, the Gilbert Islands, Saipan, the Battle of the Philippine Sea, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. In addition to frequently serving as the flagship of the U.S. Fifth Fleet, the ship earned 10 battle stars for World War II service and successfully completed a top-secret mission delivering components of the nuclear bomb to Tinian that brought the war to a close.
The future USS Indianapolis, a Freedom-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments, as well as open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft.
LCS is a modular, reconfigurable ship designed to meet validated fleet requirements for surface warfare (SUW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and mine countermeasures (MCM) missions in the littoral region. Using an open architecture design, modular weapons, sensor systems and a variety of manned and unmanned vehicles to gain, sustain and exploit littoral maritime supremacy, LCS provides U.S. joint force access to critical areas in multiple theaters.
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 (for the odd-numbered hulls). The Independence variant team is led by Austal USA (for LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls). (Source: US DoD)
AIR
24 Oct 19. Airbus Helicopters delivers first NH90 Sea Lion to the German Armed Forces. Development and production activities completed in record time. Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first NH90 Sea Lion naval multi-role helicopter to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), with a further two to be delivered by the end of the year.
In total, 18 Sea Lions have been ordered for the Germany Navy, with deliveries expected to be completed in 2022. The selection of the Sea Lion as the successor to the Sea King was made in March 2013 and the corresponding contract was signed in June 2015.
“I am proud of our teams who worked hard to meet the ambitious delivery schedule of our customer, whose continuous support has also been key in making it happen,” said Wolfgang Schoder, CEO of Airbus Helicopters Deutschland. “During the summer, we successfully completed demonstration flights involving the German Navy and BAAINBw to verify the Sea Lion capabilities for search and rescue as well as special forces missions. I am confident that these helicopters will bring next-generation capabilities to the German Navy, and I’m committed to ensure the best level of support for the Sea Lion fleet.”
When deployed, NH90 Sea Lions will take on a wide range of roles including search and rescue (SAR), maritime reconnaissance, special forces as well as personnel and material transportation missions. In addition to its land-based use, the Sea Lion will also operate on Type 702 (Berlin class) combat support ships.
Thanks to its multi-role capability and growth capability, the Sea Lion will not only replace the German Navy’s Sea King Mk41 fleet but significantly enhance its operational capabilities. The fly-by-wire flight controls of the NH90 Sea Lion reduce the crew’s workload thanks to its high precision and ease of use, which particularly come to the fore in over-water hovering, even in poor weather conditions. The German Navy has also recently opted for the naval version of the NH90 to succeed its 22 Sea Lynx Mk 88A on‑board helicopters that have been in service since 1981. Five nations are already using the NH90 in its naval NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) version and have completed more than 50,000 flying hours in SAR, humanitarian and military missions, with the 90 helicopters that have been delivered so far. The 399 helicopters that make up the worldwide NH90 fleet have already completed over 230,000 flying hours. This first Sea Lion is also the 400th NH90 helicopter to be delivered.
23 Oct 19. Boeing delivers final C-40A medium lift capability aircraft to US Navy. Boeing has delivered the 17th and final C-40A aircraft to the US Naval Air Systems Command’s (NAVAIR) Tactical Airlift Program Office (PMA-207). The 16th C-40A aircraft was delivered to the navy in June this year. In recent months, the US Navy added two aircraft and one squadron to the C-40 fleet. The service has completed its planned aircraft procurements. The latest C-40A aircraft will be operated by the US Naval Reserve Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VR) 57. PMA-207 programme manager Captain Steve Nassau said: “The C-40 plays an important role in the Navy Unique Fleet Essential Airlift (NUFEA) fleet. These extremely flexible logistics support aircraft are an integral part of every type of maritime mission, from humanitarian assistance to long-range, high-priority deliveries.”
The navy established the sixth C-40 squadron last month.
Earlier this year, VR-51, based at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, received two C-40 aircraft. Nicknamed the Windjammers, the VR-51 squadron is expected to become fully operational this month after receiving ‘safe-for-flight’ certification.
PMA-207 Medium-Lift deputy assistant programme manager for logistics (DAPML) Darwin Lazo said: “The safe-for-flight certification is an entire programme overview in which the government ensures that all contractor, aircrew, and government operating procedures are in place and functioning correctly.”
Based on the Boeing 737-700C, the C-40 is designed to transport passengers and cargo around the world. The aircraft meets the medium-lift capability needs of the US Navy. (Source: naval-technology.com)
23 Oct 19. USAF redeploys RQ-4 Global Hawks from Japan to Andersen AFB. The US Air Force (USAF) has redeployed a squadron of 319th Reconnaissance Wing RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system to Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) in Guam. The RQ-4s were redeployed following the completion of a three-month rotational deployment to Yokota Air Base in Japan.
The unmanned aircraft system was deployed to Japan to ensure smooth operations during the summer typhoon-season in the western Pacific.
374th Airlift Wing commander colonel Otis Jones said: “We were pleased to welcome the 319th Reconnaissance Wing Det 1 back to Yokota Air Base.
“They not only integrated seamlessly with our team but were also able to strengthen relationships with our local communities. The RQ-4 mission plays a critical role in the Indo-Pacific Region, and its presence here helps us ensure the safety and security of Japan.”
Previous deployments of the Global Hawk to Japan include Misawa Air Base in 2014, 2015, and 2018, and Yokota in 2017.
319th Operations Group Det 1 commander lieutenant colonel Ben Craycraft said: “Having alternate locations to execute our mission during seasons of inclement weather ensured our ability to continue executing US Indo-Pacific Command and the Alliance reconnaissance requirements in support of the defence of Japan and to maintain international peace and security in the region.
“Our squadron of Global Hawks safely and flawlessly executed each mission daily, virtually unnoticed, without incident. This is all thanks to the extensive and outstanding support the Samurai Warrior Team at the 374th Airlift Wing provided our squadron.”
Built by Northrop Grumman, the Global Hawk is a high-altitude remotely piloted surveillance aircraft that can support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The unarmed aircraft can be used to provide day and night, high-resolution imagery of large geographic areas.
The RQ-4 can also support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
22 Oct 19. USAF activates refuelling squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base. The US Air Force (USAF) has reactivated the 97th Air Refueling Squadron during a ceremony at Fairchild Air Force Base (AFB) in Washington, US. The 97th Air Refueling Squadron has been stood up as the fourth squadron at Fairchild AFB after the 92nd, 93rd, and 384th Refueling Squadrons. It was previously deactivated for 15 years and the ceremony marks the reactivation of the new squadron. The USAF stated that the squadron was reactivated to cater to an increase of KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft at Fairchild. USAF 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander colonel Derek Salmi said in a previous article: “Fairchild is the perfect fit for these new tankers because of our demonstrated capability to provide responsive air refuelling across the globe.
“Through hard work and dedication, our airmen have established Fairchild as the Air Refueling Center of Excellence and we will continue to carry forth this legacy as the world’s largest tanker wing.”
Earlier this year, 18th US Air Force commander major general Sam Barrett said that Fairchild AFB will serve as a long-term strategic centre for KC-135 refuelling operations.
USAF 97th Air Refueling Squadron commander lieutenant colonel Cindy Dawson said: “We have been working very hard to set up our squadron, with a new building and new furniture, setting up our processes, [all while] we have already received taskings to send our airmen downrange to support the fight.
“The tankers are one of our most strategic assets for the airforce. We have fantastic fighters and bombers that can bring air power anywhere in the world, but they can only get there with the help of tankers.”
Last week, Fairchild AFB received the first of 12 additional KC-135 Stratotankers from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
The addition of the Stratotankers will increase base aeromedical evacuation, air refuelling, and airlift capabilities. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
22 Oct 19. Russia reveals export-variant MiG-35. Russia is to market a new variant of the MiG-35 multirole combat aircraft geared towards the export market, it was announced on 22 October. Russian Aircraft Corporation (RAC) said that a version of the aircraft modified with anti-corrosion parts for hot and humid operations, a different outer-mould line, an open-systems architecture, an electro-optic/infrared search and track (EO/IRST) sensor, and a new active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar has been developed for the international market. While the export variant of the MiG-35 is aimed at the wider international market, the Director General of MiG Corporation, Ilya Tarasenko, noted that the aircraft would make “a very interesting proposal” for African nations looking for a cost-effective combat aircraft. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
22 Oct 19. Karem Aircraft unveils AR-40 for US Army’s FARA-CP. High-speed flight is the hallmark of Karem Aircraft’s newly unveiled AR-40 helicopter, which the company is offering for the US Army’s Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft-Competitive Prototype (FARA-CP) programme, according to a company official.
Thomas Berger, Karem FARA programme director, told Jane’s on 15 October at the 2019 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) convention that the aircraft’s large wings enable Karem to get drag and vibration out of the rigid rotor by depitching it. Getting much of the load from the rotor and moving much of the weight onto the wings help with dynamics and efficiency, he said.
The AR-40 also features individual blade control that enables Karem to shape the trajectory of the blade as it rotates. This, Berger said, also allows Karem to get the best in performance, acoustics, and reliability vibration.
The AR-40’s wings rotate to relieve the download in hover, allowing the full weight of the aircraft to hover at 4,000 ft altitude and 95°F, the US Army’s standard. Berger said the wings provide great manoeuvre and control authority with the rotor in high- and low-speed flight. As the aircraft has a rigid rotor, Berger said it has a direct connection from the rotor to the aircraft, unlike traditional rotorcraft where the gimbled rotor moves first and the aircraft follows.
The helicopter, which has a 14 m fuselage, has a “huge” weapons bay to house the integrated munitions launcher. Berger said Karem designed the aircraft around the munitions launcher as it is part of the US Army’s FARA-CP requirement.
The AR-40 has the width to accommodate side-by-side seating, which Berger said is the best for crew co-ordination. The width of the aircraft together with the length, he said, also provides room for additional mission equipment packages or additional passengers behind the cockpit. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
22 Oct 19. UK poised to accept first P-8A maritime patrol aircraft. As the Royal Air Force prepares to rejoin the MPA fold, a senior officer has sought to allay fears that the nine-strong fleet will be too small to fulfil the UK’s maritime commitments. Jon Rosamond reports. Fifty years after it took delivery of the first examples of a new maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) developed from a civilian airliner, the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is about to repeat the exercise, albeit on a significantly reduced scale. In October 1969 attention was focused on the Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR1, a submarine-hunting maritime reconnaissance platform based on the world’s first commercial passenger jet aircraft, the De Havilland Comet. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
23 Oct 19. Russia waits on China for delayed AHL development decision. Russia is waiting on a decision from China as to whether development of the Advanced Heavy Lifter (AHL) helicopter will proceed, a senior industry official told reporters in mid-October.
Speaking in South Korea where he was attending the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2019), the CEO of Russian Helicopters, Andrey Boginskiy, said that the Rostec conglomerate is in the final stage of talks with the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), and that he expects a development contract to be signed in early 2020.
“The AHL is a Chinese product, with Russian Helicopters co-operating on components. All of the technical questions surrounding the helicopter have now been answered, and we are now just waiting on a decision from China,” Boginskiy said, adding, “We expect to start early next year”.
The collaborative AHL programme was first disclosed in May 2015, with Russian Helicopters and Avicopter, a Chinese company forming part of AVIC, signing an agreement to work on all areas of development and preparation to launch serial production of the new aircraft. At that time, the then-CEO of Russian Helicopters, Alexander Mikheev, said that a development contract was expected by the end of 2015. No reason has been given for the five-year delay.
The new helicopter, development of which is being supported by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping, is expected to have a maximum take-off weight of 38 tonnes and be capable of carrying 10 tonnes of cargo internally or 15 tonnes externally. The helicopter will have a range of up to 630 km, a maximum speed of 300 km/h, and a service ceiling of approximately 18,700 ft. The AHL is being designed for operations in ‘hot and high’ environments, and in all weather conditions. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
23 Oct 19. Reserve unit to be established in the Cayman Islands. The Defence Minister travelled to the Cayman Islands to discuss a new reserve unit with leaders. The Governor and Premier of the Cayman Islands have announced a new reserve unit for the area which will be known as the Cayman Regiment. The unit will be the first Cayman Island defence force.
Mark Lancaster, Defence Minister, met with Governor of the Cayman Islands, Martyn Roper OBE, and the Premier, Alden McLaughlin, to discuss the regiment. UK military experts from the FCO and MOD will be deployed to begin assessments and lead the way for the unit to be built.
Mark Lancaster, Minister for the Armed Forces, said: “The UK enjoys a close and historic bond with the Cayman Islands and through helping to establish the Islands first reserve unit we are strengthening this relationship even further.”
“We are committed to the safety and security of the Overseas Territories. Having recently worked with regional partners on the response to Hurricane Dorian we have demonstrated both the depth of that commitment and value we place on our partnerships in the Caribbean.”
Initially, assistance from the UK is likely to take the form of logistical advice and support but will develop further to include operational training and equipment. The defence force will take part in disaster relief efforts in the area as well as working on regional security efforts.
The Defence Minister was also shown around the Cayman Island Junior Cadet Corps. The new regiment will create career options for cadets after they have graduated in areas such as dealing with extreme weather. (Source: Defence Online)
22 Oct 19. US military withdrew 2,000 troops from Afghanistan over past year. The US military has pulled out around 2,000 troops from Afghanistan over the last year as part of efforts to optimise its presence in the country. At a news conference on 21 October, Resolute Support Mission commander general Austin Scott Miller stated that the US is constantly looking to optimise the force without affecting its training programme in Afghanistan. The New York Times reported that the US has been reducing the number of troops stationed in Afghanistan without reaching a peace deal with the Taliban. According to the publication, the US troop strength in the country is now estimated to be between 12,000 and 13,000.
The Trump administration stalled peace talks with the extremist group last month following the death of a US soldier in a bomb attack in Kabul.
Talks were intended to secure a truce deal that would allow the US to draw down personnel in exchange for Taliban security guarantees.
Miller said: “As we work in Afghanistan with our partners, we’re always looking to optimise the force. And unbeknownst to the public, as part of our optimisation over the last year, at least 2,000, we’ve reduced our authorised strength by 2,000 here.
“So there’s a constant look as a military commander to optimise the force here, and what it’s based on is, understand the risks to the force, risks to the mission, and look at them in terms of capabilities.
“I’m confident that we have the right capabilities to reach our objectives, as well as continue to train, advise and assist throughout the country.”
US Defence Secretary Mark Esper revealed to the media earlier this week that the government is planning to reduce troop levels in Afghanistan to 8,600. The US Military is also withdrawing troops from Syria for deployment to Iraq to help in the fight against Islamic State (ISIS). (Source: army-technology.com)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
21 Oct 19. US Army selects chief for new Enterprise Cloud Management Office. US Army leaders have selected a senior US government official to lead the service’s new Enterprise Cloud Management Office (ECMO), which will spearhead efforts to migrate army data applications and networks onto a cloud-computing architecture. The new appointee for ECMO director, designated as a senior executive service-level position, is still working through the official vetting process at the Pentagon but is expected to take the reins of the new cloud-computing office shortly, Army Chief Information Officer (CIO) Lieutenant General Bruce Crawford said during a 16 October briefing at the Association of the United States Army’s annual symposium in Washington, DC. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
24 Oct 19. MG John W. Brennan Jr., deputy commander, Joint Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to commanding general, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
24 Oct 19. MG Michael R. Fenzel, military assistant to the Special Envoy to Afghanistan, Department of State, Washington, District of Columbia, to vice director for strategic plans and policy, J-5, Joint Staff, Washington, District of Columbia.
24 Oct 19. BG Richard E. Angle, deputy commanding general (Operations), U.S. Army Cyber Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, to deputy commander, Joint Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
24 Oct 19. BG Matthew J. Van Wagenen, deputy commanding general, 3rd (United Kingdom) Division, United Kingdom, to deputy chief of staff for operations, Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, United Kingdom.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
23 Oct 19. Saudi Arabia appointed a prince with diplomatic experience in Western capitals as foreign minister on Wednesday in a partial cabinet reshuffle as the kingdom tries to mend its international image and prepares to take over the Group of 20 presidency. Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud had served for the last several months as ambassador to Germany and earlier as political adviser at the Washington embassy. His previous business career in the defence industry included chairmanship of a joint venture with planemaker Boeing (BA.N). (Source: Reuters)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
22 Oct 19. ATI Extends Long-Term Purchase Agreement With BWX Technologies. Allegheny Technologies Incorporated (NYSE: ATI) announced today that it has signed a new long-term agreement with BWX Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BWXT) to supply materials used in the manufacture of naval nuclear reactor components. This agreement begins in 2019 with the supply of long lead-time materials and runs through mid-2026. ATI anticipates revenues totaling approximately $600 million over the multi-year period.
“We are delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with BWXT to help propel the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered carriers and submarines. Our history of innovative naval propulsion materials spans over 50 years, including products used on the U.S. Navy’s first nuclear-powered submarine,” said Robert S. Wetherbee, ATI’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “ATI’s deep materials science expertise and unique process capabilities allow us to produce materials that play an important role in BWXT’s mission for the U.S. Navy.”
Creating Value Thru Relentless Innovation™
ATI is a global manufacturer of technically advanced specialty materials and complex components. ATI revenue was $4.1bn for the twelve-month period ended June 30, 2019. Our largest markets are aerospace & defense, particularly jet engines. We also have a strong presence in the oil & gas, energy, medical, automotive, and other industrial markets. ATI is a market leader in manufacturing differentiated specialty alloys and forgings that require our unique manufacturing and precision machining capabilities and our innovative new product development competence. We are a leader in producing powders for use in next-generation jet engine forgings and 3D-printed aerospace products. See more at our website ATImetals.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
22 Oct 19. Boeing Appoints Stan Deal CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Ted Colbert CEO of Boeing Global Services. The Boeing Company (NYSE: BA) today named Stan Deal to succeed Kevin McAllister as president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes and Ted Colbert to succeed Deal as president and CEO of Boeing Global Services, effective immediately. Vishwa Uddanwadiker is appointed to Colbert’s former role as interim chief information officer and senior vice president of Information Technology & Data Analytics.Stan Deal Biography
Stan Deal joined Boeing in 1986, and is executive vice president of Boeing and president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Prior to this role, Deal was president and chief executive officer of Boeing Global Services. He is a member of Boeing’s Executive Council. Deal led Boeing Global Services from its establishment in November 2016 as a third business unit of the company, bringing together services capabilities that span the defense, space and commercial sectors. Prior to leading Boeing Global Services, Deal had held a number of essential leadership positions at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, including running its supply chain and serving as sales leader for the Asia-Pacific region.
Ted Colbert Biography
Ted Colbert joined Boeing in 2009 and is executive vice president of Boeing, a member of the Boeing Executive Council, and president and CEO of Boeing Global Services. In his prior role he served as chief information officer (CIO) and senior vice president of Information Technology & Data Analytics. In this role, he oversaw all aspects of information technology, information security, data and analytics. He also supported the growth of Boeing’s business through IT- and analytics-related revenue generating programs.
Prior to his role as CIO, he led the company’s Information Technology Infrastructure organization where he was responsible for developing and maintaining network, computing, server, storage, collaboration and infrastructure solutions across the enterprise. Before that, he led the IT Business Systems organization where he managed the computing application systems that support Boeing Finance, Human Resources, Corporate and Commercial Capital Business Units, as well as the company’s internal systems.
23 Oct 19. Dennis Ginley has joined Pixels on Target as their Vice President of Sales. Pixels on Target have designed and developed the next generation of thermal optics, including the VooDoo-S and VooDoo-M sights as described in the attached product information. Pixels on Target is a US Company, and the products are 100% US Made.
23 Oct 19. Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) Chairman and CEO Thomas A. Kennedy today announced leadership appointments for the Raytheon businesses that will be consolidated following the close of the merger of equals with United Technologies.
Roy Azevedo will be president of the Intelligence, Space and Airborne Systems, which combines Space and Airborne Systems (SAS); Intelligence, Information and Services (IIS); and Forcepoint™. The new business unit will have 2019 sales of approximately $15bn.
Wesley D. Kremer will be president of the Integrated Defense and Missile Systems, which combines Missile Systems (MS) and Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). The new business unit will have 2019 sales of approximately $16bn.
Today’s announcement follows the recent selection of Anthony “Toby” O’Brien as chief financial officer for the new Raytheon Technologies. O’Brien is the current CFO of Raytheon Company.
The Raytheon business unit consolidation will be effective upon merger close, which is expected in the first half of 2020, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals, as well as completion by United Technologies of the separation of its Otis and Carrier businesses.
23 Oct 19. Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) announced that Lionel L. Nowell III has been elected to the company’s Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2020. Nowell is the retired Senior Vice President and Treasurer of PepsiCo, Inc., a worldwide food and beverage company, and has over 30 years of experience as a finance professional through operational and financial management roles he held at several multinational corporations.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
22 Oct 19. Alliance Memory today announced the appointment of Ramesh Varadharajan as the country head of the company’s India sales. In his new role, Mr. Varadharajan will focus on expanding Alliance Memory’s sales coverage in the dynamic Indian market and lead the company’s global engineering and quality teams. Mr. Varadharajan brings over 20 years of experience across a number of semiconductor markets to Alliance Memory, specializing in product and test engineering; silicon validation across memory; and mixed signal, RF, and IoT products. Prior to joining the company, he served in engineering management roles at Silicon Laboratories Singapore and SpectraLinear India. He also served as lead product and test engineer at Alliance Semiconductor from 2000 to 2005. He holds a Master of Science degree in microelectronics from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, India.
20 Oct 19. Former Cisco CEO joins Aussie cyber security start-up. Australian cyber security start-up Red Piranha has announced the appointment of former CISCO Canada CEO Terry Walsh as its new chief operating officer.
According to the company, the appointment comes as a result of its “vast expansion and increasing interest and demand for its unified threat management (UTM) platform, Crystal Eye”.
Walsh will work alongside the existing management team to focus on further developing the sales and marketing teams, as well as identifying additional opportunities to accelerate growth for Red Piranha’s crown jewel, Crystal Eye, across other markets worldwide.
In addition to his time with Cisco Canada, Walsh also spent five years as managing director of the company’s Australian and New Zealand operation.
Walsh brings to Red Piranha over 30 years’ experience in the technology and IT fields in Australia, Asia and North America.
During his time with Cisco Canada, Walsh more than tripled the Canadian branch’s revenue, seeing it become one of Cisco’s top five performing countries worldwide. Red Piranha is Australian owned and operated, and manufactures security products for small to medium businesses, as well as large multinationals. (Source: Defence Connect)