LOCATIONS
LAND
14 Nov 19. Elected Officials Attend Meggitt’s Groundbreaking Ceremony. Meggitt PLC, an international company specializing in high-performance components and sub-systems for the aerospace, defense and selected energy markets, plans to significantly increase its commercial and military aircraft carbon brake manufacturing capacity at the 190 Corporate Drive facility in Danville, KY. The expansion will create up to 83 full-time jobs with a nearly $82.7 million investment. Ground breaking ceremonies were today with several federal, state and local elected officials and their representatives present.
The project will allow the company to fulfill increasing orders following recent contract awards for braking systems. The facility already provides braking components for a number of customer programs, including the Airbus A220 and A321, as well as for Embraer, Gulfstream, Dassault and Bombardier. The new facility also will serve as an MRO hub to meet rising demand for aircraft maintenance. The 95,000-square-foot expansion would include new carbon furnaces plus ancillary equipment, as well as upgrades to existing machinery.
“Our order book has grown substantially in recent years and we are also witnessing a significant increase in carbon brake demand. It is a trend that is set to continue and this investment is an essential part of our future strategy,” said Brian Bondarenko, president of Meggitt Braking Systems. “Investing in Danville is a natural choice for us. We have been operating here for over 14 years and we continue to increase capacity. Danville gives us ready access to a rich talent pool and skilled employees, through this investment we hope to increase our workforce over time.”
Sen. Rick Girdler, of Somerset, expressed gratitude to everyone involved with making the project possible. “I want to congratulate Meggitt for this major investment affording them 83 new jobs,” Sen. Girdler said. “Thank you to all those involved for prioritizing continued expansion, growth and job creation here in the Danville community.”
Rep. Daniel Elliott, of Danville, thanked the company for the job creation and continued growth. “This announcement is very exciting news for our local economy, as Meggitt’s expansion will add to their already strong presence in Boyle County,” Rep. Elliott said. “As Kentucky’s number one export, the aerospace industry continues to thrive and employ more of our citizens, including right here in Danville. I want to thank Meggitt for their investment and confidence in our community and workforce, and look forward to seeing their creation of 83 new, quality jobs.”
Danville Mayor Mike Perros said the company has been the ideal corporate partner. “The greatest compliment that an existing industry can pay to its home community is to reinvest. Meggitt has done so time and again,” Mayor Perros said. “We appreciate the continued confidence that Meggitt has expressed in Danville with this major expansion. Our community stands ready to support Meggitt, its management and its employees as it grows with us.”
Boyle County Judge-Executive Howard P. Hunt III said the company is a shining example of the type of success aerospace companies can have in Kentucky. “Meggitt’s rate of growth in Boyle County since 2006 has been remarkable. The company’s increased operations have put our community at the forefront of Kentucky’s aerospace industry,” Judge-Executive Hunt said. “We welcome this significant new phase of Meggitt’s expansion in our community. Aviation is a critical aspect of Boyle County’s economy, and Meggitt’s investment demonstrates that our community is the right location for aerospace businesses to take flight.”
To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved a 15-year incentive agreement with the company under the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based agreement can provide up to $1.4m in tax incentives based on the company’s investment of $82.68m. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
14 Nov 19. Russia sets up helicopter base in northern Syria – Defence Ministry TV channel. Russia has begun setting up a helicopter base in the north-eastern Syrian city of Qamishli, the Russian Defence Ministry’s Zvezda TV channel said on Thursday. The new base will be protected by surface-to-air missile systems, according to the TASS news agency, and three helicopters have already been deployed there. (Source: Reuters)
08 Nov 19. Maritime security coalition stands up HQ in Bahrain. Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel, the multinational maritime security mission for the waters around the Arabian Peninsula, announced on 7 November that it has opened its headquarters (HQ) in Bahrain. The HQ has been stood up at the United States’ Naval Support Activity base under the command of US Navy Rear Admiral Alvin Holsey. It sits under the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) that currently comprises Australia, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and United States. The 7 November announcement also confirmed that Albania has joined the IMSC. CTF Sentinel said the mission is to “deter malign activity, promote maritime security and stability, and ensure freedom of navigation and free flow of commerce in international waters throughout the Arabian [Persian] Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab strait, and the Gulf of Oman.” (Source: IHS Jane’s)
MARITIME
12 Nov 19. Ecuador’s Astinave starts building multipurpose vessel. The Ecuadorian state-run shipyard Astinave started building new multipurpose vessel Project Alpha-2021 on 11 November with a steel-cutting ceremony. The shipbuilding contract was signed by the Ecuadorian Ministry Of Defence on 31 October for the ship, which is meant to be used by the Ecuadorian Navy for logistics operations and transportation of disaster-relief supplies. The vessel will also transport supplies to the Galapagos Islands, the shipyard’s representative explained. It will measure 80 m and transport a crew of 66, according to the Ecuadorian Ministry Of Defence. The ship, which is scheduled to be completed by 2021, will cost USD42m. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
12 Nov 19. Halifax Shipyard launches second AOPS ship for Canadian Navy. Halifax Shipyard has launched the second of six Arctic and offshore patrol ships (AOPS) for the Royal Canadian Navy in the Bedford Basin. The 103m future HMCS Margaret Brooke was launched during a ceremony on 10 November. The ships are being constructed as part of Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) and are intended to bolster the navy’s combatant fleet. The shipbuilders prepared for the launch by transitioning the second AOPS from the shipyard’s land level facility to a submersible barge.
Irving Shipbuilding president Kevin McCoy said: “Congratulations to our more than 2,000 shipbuilders on today’s successful launch of the future HMCS Margaret Brooke. It is exciting to have two Arctic and offshore patrol ships in the water and closer to being in use by the Royal Canadian Navy’s sailors.”
Halifax Shipyard workers will continue work on the future HMCS Margaret Brooke to prepare it for planned sea trials. The ship is expected to be delivered to the Royal Canadian Navy next year.
The future HMCS Harry DeWolf is the lead vessel in the AOPS programme and is scheduled to undergo initial builder sea trials at the end of the month. The third and fourth AOPS, the future HMCS Max Bernay, and the future HMCS William Hall are in various phases of construction. Through the NSS programme, the government aims to replace the current surface fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Halifax Shipyard will also build 15 Canadian Surface Combatants for the navy and two AOPS for the Coast Guard. (Source: naval-technology.com)
12 Nov 19. RAN’s two LHDs achieve final operational capability. The Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) two Canberra-class landing helicopter dock (LHD) vessels have achieved final operational capability.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said in a 12 November statement that the 27,500- tonne amphibious assault ships, which are home-ported at Sydney’s Garden Island, “are ready to be deployed on amphibious operations such as humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and amphibious warfare”.
The RAN “now has one of the most capable and sophisticated amphibious deployment systems in the world, with the fleet’s landing helicopter docks achieving final operational capability”, added the minister. HMAS Canberra (III) (with pennant number (L 02) was commissioned in late November 2014 while HMAS Adelaide (III) (L 01) entered service almost a year later. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
11 Nov 19. Australia’s third air warfare destroyer completes sea trials. Key Points:
- Australia’s third air warfare destroyer has concluded its sea trials
- The vessel will be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy in February 2020
The third Hobart-class air warfare destroyer (AWD) on order for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has completed its sea trials, the country’s defence minister, Linda Reynolds, announced on 9 November.
The vessel, which will be in service as HMAS Sydney once commissioned, is the final AWD ordered for the RAN. It was laid down in November 2015, and launched at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide in May 2018.
The first phase of Sydney’s sea trials was announced in September 2019, and the vessel began a more advanced phase of these tests, which validated its combat and communication systems, in the following month.
The first AWD, HMAS Hobart, was commissioned in September 2017, while the second-of-class, HMAS Brisbane, was inducted into service in October 2018.
The AWD derives its design from the Spanish Navy’s (Armada Española’s) Alvaro de Bazan (F-100)-class frigate. It displaces 6,350 tonnes at full load, and has an overall length of 146.7 m, an overall beam of 18.6 m, and a hull draught of 4.9m.
The warship is equipped with the Aegis combat system incorporating the AN/SPY 1D(V) phased array radar, and is armed with the 48-cell MK 41 strike-length vertical launch system (VLS) that can launch Standard Missile-2 medium-range Block IIIA (SM-2MR Block IIIA) and SM-2MR Block IIIB long-range surface-to-air missiles, and the medium-range RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missiles (ESSMs) Block I.
The destroyer is also equipped with a 127mm naval gun in the primary position, the Phalanx Block 1B 20 mm close-in weapon system (CIWS), two Orbital ATK M242 25 mm Bushmaster automatic cannons in Rafael Typhoon stabilised and remotely operated mounts, and launchers for the RGM-84 Harpoon Block II anti-ship/land attack missiles. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
11 Nov 19. GRSE lays keel for Indian Navy’s first 110m survey vessel. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) has laid down the first of four survey vessels on order for the Indian Navy. Keel for the vessel was laid down on 8 November at GRSE’s facilities known as the main works shipyard in Kolkata, West Bengal. The ship is part of an INR24.35bn (USD340m) contract signed between India’s Ministry of Defence and GRSE in October 2018. GRSE emerged as the lowest bidder in a request for proposals (RFP) for four survey vessels issued in 2016. The RFP was sent out to six Indian shipyards. GRSE’s proposal displaces 3,300 tonnes, has an overall length of 110m, and can accommodate a crew of 231. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
11 Nov 19. Final Hobart-class destroyer to be delivered to RAN in February 2020. The third and final Hobart-class Air Warfare Destroyer (AWD) on order for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is set to be handed over to the service in February 2020 after recently completing sea trials. Ahead of the warship’s provisional acceptance into service, final production work, including the integration with the embarked Sikorsky MH-60-R naval helicopter, is set to be completed, said the Department of Defence (DoD) in Canberra in a 9 November statement.
Named Sydney (V) (with pennant number 42), the 146.7m-long AWD was launched in May 2018 at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide.
The announcement of Sydney ‘s completion of sea trials came exactly two weeks after the RAN decommissioned its last operational Adelaide-class (US Oliver Hazard Perry design) guided-missile frigate. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
08 Nov 19. Australia hands over Guardian-class. Australia handed over a Guardian-class patrol boat to the government of the Solomon Islands in a ceremony held on 8 November at the facilities of shipbuilder Austal in Henderson, Western Australia.
The vessel, which has been named RSIPV Gizo (pennant number 05), is one of the 21 boats of the class being given by Canberra to 12 Pacific Island Nations and Timor-Leste as part of Australia’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (also known as Sea 3036) programme.
Gizo, which is replacing the recently decommissioned Pacific-class patrol boat Lata, was received by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in a ceremony that was also attended by Australian Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price.
The Guardian class has an overall length of 39.5 m, a beam of 8 m, and can accommodate a crew of 23. It is powered by two Caterpillar 3516C engines and can attain a top speed of 20 kt.
The steel-hulled boats are being built with space and weight considerations for a 30mm naval gun as a primary weapon, as well as port and starboard mounts for 12.7mm general-purpose machine guns.
The Sea 3036 programme, which seeks to enhance the security of Australia’s maritime region by augmenting the maritime capabilities of its immediate neighbours, is aimed at replacing a current fleet of 22 patrol boats given to Pacific Island states between 1987 and 1997.
The 13 countries receiving the new boats are the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, with deliveries scheduled to be completed by 2023. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
08 Nov 19. South Korea launches Philippine Navy’s second José Rizal-class frigate. Key Points:
- South Korea has launched a second José Rizal-class frigate on order for the Philippine Navy
- The vessel is on track for delivery in 2021
South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has launched the second José Rizal-class frigate on order for the Philippine Navy.
A ceremonial launch for the vessel, which will be in service as BRP Antonio Luna (151) once commissioned, was held on 8 November at Ulsan, South Korea. The programme’s first-of-class, which will be in service as BRP José Rizal (150), was launched at the same location in May 2019. Both vessels were ordered by the Philippine Department of National under a USD337m contract awarded to HHI in 2016. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
11 Nov 19. HHI launches Daegu-class frigate for RoK Navy. South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has launched the third of eight Daegu (FFX-II)-class guided-missile frigates on order for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN). Named Seoul (with pennant number 821), the 122.1 m-long warship entered the water at HHI’s facilities in the southeastern coastal city of Ulsan on 11 November in a ceremony that was also attended by South Korean Defence Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo. The launch of Seoul, which is expected to be handed over to the service in early 2021, coincided with the 74th anniversary of the foundation of the RoKN. The first two frigates of the class – ROKS Daegu (818), which entered service in March 2018, and Gyeongnam (819), which was launched on 21 June 2019 – were built by South Korean shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME), which will also build the fifth and sixth ships of the class. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
AIR
14 Nov 19. Turkey’s ATAK Phase 2 helicopter conducts first test flight. Ismail Demir, head of Turkey’s Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), tweeted on 13 November that the Phase 2 (B2) version of the T129 ATAK attack helicopter has conducted its first test flight, fitted with laser warning receivers and other electronic warfare systems. The localisation of T129B2 production has been increased and the first delivery is planned for mid-2020, he said. Demir told the Turkish NTV channel on 20 February that the ATAK Phase 2 project would increase the helicopter’s payload capacity, which along with design changes would allow it to carry more weapons and protection systems. Twenty-one ATAK Phase 2 helicopters are planned to be delivered, according to Jane’s industry sources. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
14 Nov 19. US Army prepares Chinook engine testbed for flight. The US Army and Boeing have conducted ground runs of an NCH-47D Chinook heavy-lift helicopter fitted with the more powerful General Electric (GE) T408 engine, ahead of an anticipated first flight in the coming days. The US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center tweeted images of the testbed Chinook Block 2 helicopter fitted with the engines that normally power its Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion competitor. Replacing the Chinook’s incumbent Honeywell T55 engines with the GE T408 involved some major structural changes to the supporting mounts given the larger size of the new powerplant. Boeing noted that because the T55 spins in the opposite direction to the T408, a new gearbox is needed. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
12 Nov 19. Russian VKS to receive its first Su-57 in late 2019. The Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) are set to receive their first Sukhoi Su-57 fifth-generation multirole combat aircraft before the end of the year, Deputy Defence Minister Alexey Krivoruchko announced during a visit to Far Eastern enterprises on 7–8 November.
“The first serial Su-57 is almost ready for delivery to the troops and the VKS will receive it before the end of the year. We are waiting for one more aircraft [to be supplied] next year; then, production will ramp up,” he said on 8 November.
Krivoruchko added that the VKS had already received 10 Sukhoi Su-35S multirole combat aircraft in 2019. “The Komsomolsk-on-Amur Aviation Plant [KNAAZ, a subsidiary of United Aircraft Corporation] has delivered 10 Sukhoi Su-35Ss ahead of schedule, implementing the State Defence Order [GOZ] for 2019. We are planning to receive the remaining 10 aircraft under the current order next year,” he said, adding that four of the 10 Su-35s delivered have been handed over to the Russian Knights aerobatic team. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
12 Nov 19. Philippine Air Force receives Airbus C-295M transport aircraft. The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has formally accepted a new C-295M medium transport aircraft during a turnover ceremony at the Haribon Hangar of the Clark Air Base in Pampanga. The aircraft is the fourth C-295M purchased from Airbus Defense and Space as part of the Command and Control Fixed-Wing Turbo Prop Acquisition (C2FWTPA) project.
PAF will use the PHP1.8bn ($354.2m) aircraft to transport troops and relief material to the Mindanao island, the Philippine News Agency reported. A strong earthquake struck the island last month.
The acquisition is part of the government’s wider programme to modernise its armed forces.
PAF spokesperson major Aristides Galang stated that the C-295M will be used to transport personnel and equipment. The aircraft will also support disaster relief and humanitarian assistance efforts.
In addition, the command and control aircraft will meet the transport needs of the PhilPresident and other important persons.
PAF commander lieutenant general Rozzano Briguez said: “From airlifting personnel and logistical supplies to projecting military force, as well as providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response, air mobility has been an indispensable capability that the Philippine Air Force provides through the competency of our pilots, crew and the aircraft that we possess. The aircraft personifies the guardians of our precious skies, and the bearers of hope.”
Philippines Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was present at the ceremony, revealed plans to buy additional C-295M aircraft to boost maritime security. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
08 Nov 19. US AFLCMC delivers C-130 to joint Franco-German squadron. The US Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) has delivered C-130 aircraft to a joint French and German squadron at Évreux-Fauville Air Base, France. The joint squadron received two C-130J Super Hercules and the first of two KC-130J aircraft. The programme includes the delivery of a total of seven aircraft by 2026. According to the US Air Force (USAF), the C-130 aircraft fleet will cost around $1.6bn. Sustainment of the fleet is estimated to cost an additional $1bn over the next seven years.
In 2017, France and Germany approached AFLCMC to procure two C-130 models for Germany to enable the creation of the joint squadron. At the time, the French C-130 aircraft were already in production.
AFLCMC Mobility and Training Aircraft Directorate C-130 FMS Branch chief Brock Thomas said: “It was a new concept for us. We had never done anything like that [sell aircraft for joint foreign partnership], but we saw it as an opportunity.”
The AFLCMC then worked with relevant stakeholders to complete the aircraft and sustainment support sale.
The plan involved the sale of aircraft to Germany and France separately. The programme also involved a plan to negotiate directly with the French military for fleet sustainment. Directorate International Acquisition Programs Division deputy chief David Collins said: “Until we were able to come up with the right mechanism to mutually operate, train and maintain the squadron, France and Germany would not have been able to jointly operate the C-130s.”
The joint squadron creates a mechanism wherein a French pilot and a German loadmaster can work with the same aircraft. In May last year, the US cleared a sale of three C-130J-30 and three KC-130J aircraft to Germany. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
11 Nov 19. Singapore air force concludes KC-135R operations. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) ceased operating its four Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker aircraft in June, with the new A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) taking over its roles in providing air-to-air refuelling (AAR), airlift support, and aeromedical evacuation for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), service officials revealed during a media briefing held at 112 Squadron on 11 November.
Singapore acquired four ex-United States Air Force (USAF) KC-135A Stratotanker aircraft in 1996 – which are understood to have been worth approximately USD280m at the time – to complement its existing air-refuelling tanker fleet of four Lockheed Martin KC-130Bs and one KC-130H Hercules platform.
The Stratotankers were upgraded to the KC-135R configuration by Boeing following reactivation from storage at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base’s Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group and delivered to the RSAF at its newly stood up Peace Guardian training detachment at the USAF’s McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas from 1999. The first KC-135R aircraft returned to Singapore in September 2000, with the fleet – operated by 112 Squadron based at Changi Air Base (West) – attaining full operational capability (FOC) in August 2002.
Major updates incorporated into the KC-135R included CFM International CFM56 (F108) turbofan engines that were up to 25% more efficient at cruising speeds and offered more reliability than the original J57 turbojets.
The type also benefited from a new glass cockpit and avionics suite under the USAF’s Pacer CRAG (Compass, Radar, and GPS) programme, which had been designed to reduce workload through automation of many of the cockpit functions and coupled with modern human factor engineering techniques. This enabled the aircraft to be operated without a dedicated navigator and reducing the cockpit crew complement to two. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
13 Nov 19. US Army deploys soldiers to support CENTCOM’s mission. The US Army has deployed soldiers to the US Central Command area of operations to support CENTCOM operating environment. Troops assigned to 1st 82nd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division deployed to support the mission of enabling military operations with allies to ensure regional security.
The CENTCOM mission includes Operation Inherent Resolve and US military training.
Operation Inherent Resolve is the US-led military intervention against the Islamic State. The US training mission is aimed at enhancing the capability of the Saudi Arabian Armed Forces to defend mutual interests in the region.
Another key mission of the CENTCOM is the Nato-led Resolute Support mission to ‘train, advise and assist’ the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces.
The army deploys forces in support of national security efforts and provides command and control to joint forces.
82nd Combat Aviation Brigade commander colonel Earnest Irvin said: “They all realise the impact of their jobs and positions. They know what they were trained to do, but I told them no matter how important they think it is, they will never understand the importance of what they’re doing until they all return home.”
The Combat Aviation Brigade is intended to provide rapid deployment capability to support the Global Response Force.
It provides air assault, reconnaissance, attack and medical evacuation capability.
In September, paratroopers from the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade trained at the installation’s newest aerial gunnery range on Fort Bragg.
Forces engaged targets above the $45m range, which opened earlier this year. The aerial gunnery range enhances the readiness of aircrew firing 30mm rounds from the Apache attack helicopter’s weapons system and the ground forces supporting them. (Source: army-technology.com)
11 Nov 19. Ex-Armed Forces head Lord Bramall dies aged 95. Former chief of the Armed Forces Lord Bramall has died aged 95, it has been confirmed. The Normandy D-Day veteran retired from the House of Lords in 2013. He was falsely accused in 2014 of child sexual abuse by the paedophile fantasist Carl Beech.
He was too ill to attend the trial of Beech in person earlier this year. Beech was later jailed for making the false allegations.
Lord Bramall’s wife died in 2015 before detectives announced they were not charging him.
A field marshal and baron, Lord Bramall served during the Normandy landings and commanded UK land forces between 1976 and 1978.
He become chief of the general staff – the professional head of the Army – in 1979, and in 1982 he oversaw the Falklands campaign.
Later that year he became chief of the defence staff – the most senior officer commanding the UK’s armed forces – and served until 1985.
The BBC’s home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani said Lord Bramall’s last years were “dominated” by Operation Midland, the Metropolitan Police’s probe into Beech’s false claims.
Lord Bramall, a father-of-two, thumped the desk and called the allegations “ridiculous” when he was questioned by police in 2015.
Footage of his police interview, which happened weeks after his home was raided, was played at Beech’s trial.
“I am absolutely astonished, amazed and bemused,” Lord Bramall said in that interview.
“I find it incredible that anybody should believe that someone of my career standing, integrity, should be capable of any of these things, including things like torture – unbelievable.” (Source: BBC)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
11 Nov 19. Quickstep and Radius Engineering announce collaboration for F-35 program. Quickstep Holdings Ltd and Radius Engineering Inc have joined forces to establish a state-of-the-art facility for the manufacturing of composite housings for the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter’s countermeasure flares.
Under the arrangement, Quickstep will incorporate Radius Engineering’s RTM workcell into their in-house advanced composite solution QPS 4.0.
This will allow Quickstep to fully meet the sophisticated requirements from its flare housing customer, Chemring Australia, and other aerospace customers, with a “one-button” actuation.
“We were extremely pleased to have collaborated with Radius on the flare housing project,” Steve Osborne, Quickstep’s general manager of business development, said.
“Their knowledge of advanced composite processes and the aerospace industry was invaluable, and we have developed a strong and cooperative relationship. Radius made an important contribution to our highly automated and digitalised manufacturing cell, which is capable of delivering higher volumes of composite flare housings at a lower cost.”
“We are very proud to work with Quickstep,” said Dimitrije Milovich, president of Radius Engineering.
“Our expertise in net-shaped composites manufacturing blended perfectly with Quickstep’s tight process specifications and rigorous quality standards. Meeting an aggressive schedule, we created a world-class RTM manufacturing workcell capable of delivering products of the highest quality.”
Quickstep is an aerospace composites manufacturer grown, owned and operated in Australia. Quickstep is Australia’s largest independent aerospace-grade advanced composite manufacturer. It is a global provider of advanced composite solutions to the aerospace, defence, automotive and other advanced manufacturing sectors.
Quickstep partners with some of the world’s largest defence organisations, including Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and Boeing Defense, and is a major supplier to the global F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. Radius Engineering designs and builds manufacturing solutions for net-shape composite parts for the aerospace industry. (Source: Defence Connect)
08 Nov 19. Hyundai, Philippines to co-operate on navy projects. South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND) have signed an agreement to expand collaboration on meeting the future requirements of the Philippine Navy (PN). The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on 8 November at the launch ceremony of the PN’s second HHI-constructed José Rizal-class frigate in Ulsan, South Korea. The first-in-class vessel was launched by HHI at the same location in May. In a press release to publicise the launch, South Korea’s military procurement and export agency – the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) – said HHI and the DND also signed an MOU that “reaffirms [the two sides’] commitment to defence co-operation and [to prepare] opportunities to increase the possibility of future orders [of naval vessels]”. (Source: IHS Jane’s)
PERSONNEL
11 Nov 19. End of an era! Last week Willy Hockin left ADS and will be serving his notice period on garden leave. I am extremely grateful for the significant contribution Willy has made to ADS and previously to the DMA.
ADS Statement from Paul Everitt: “I been working with the defence team, with help and support of Kevin Craven, ADS Vice-President Defence and CEO of Serco UK and Europe, to develop a more structured and focussed approach to their work. The team has performed extremely well during the year, but I had reached the conclusion this was despite, rather than because of the leadership Willy was providing. ADS will begin the process of recruiting a new defence director and in the meantime I am working closely with the team to ensure they continue to deliver high quality support and services to our membership.”
Willy has worked closely with BATTLESPACE over the years and has been a huge supporter ad promoter of SME activities. This is a big loss to ADS as Willy was a huge promoter of SMEs. BATTLESPACE hopes that SME support continues as when ADS was formed this was one of our greatest fears and was noticed at DSEI where the SME promotion was minimal. The need for advanced technologies from SMEs has been discussed for all 3 services and that can only happen with support from ADS or DIT. Willy will be missed and we offer him our best wishes for the future!
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
12 Nov 19. Roula Khalaf has been appointed the next editor of the Financial Times, succeeding Lionel Barber, who is stepping down after a 14-year tenure that put the news organisation on a profitable footing even as its traditional print business was upended. Ms Khalaf has held the FT’s second most senior editorial post since 2016, overseeing the newsroom’s strategic planning and launching initiatives such as Trade Secrets, a new service focused on global trade. Her career at the newspaper has included running the FT’s 100-strong network of foreign correspondents and leading its Middle East coverage during the Iraq war and Arab Spring of 2011. Ms Khalaf said she was “thrilled” to be running “the greatest news organisation in the world”. She will be the FT’s first female editor since it was founded in 1888. (Source: FT.com)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
12 Nov 19. Boeing [NYSE:BA] today announced the appointment of Conrad Chun as vice president of Communications for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, effective immediately. Chun most recently served as vice president of Communications for Boeing Global Services where he was responsible for media relations, employee and executive communications, digital communications, government and customer relations, and product and services marketing communications in support of Boeing’s fastest-growing business unit. Previously, Chun served as director of Communications for Global Services & Support and Boeing Military Aircraft, both of which were divisions of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. In his new role, Chun will continue reporting to Anne Toulouse, senior vice president of Communications, and Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
13 Nov 19. Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B) announced today that Donald R. Fishback, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has announced his intention to retire as CFO effective January 2, 2020. He will continue to serve as a director on Moog’s Board, a position he was first elected to in 2015. Mr. Fishback joined Moog in 1981 after working as a certified public accountant for Deloitte. Over his career at Moog, the Company grew from $155m in sales to nearly $3bn. He was elected CFO in 2010. Moog’s Directors elected Jennifer Walter Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective January 2, 2020. She currently holds the position of Vice President – Finance, and previously held the role of Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer. She joined Moog in 2000 after working as a certified public accountant for KPMG. Ms. Walter holds a BS in accounting, a BA in Psychology and an MBA from SUNY at Buffalo. She recently completed the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
14 Nov 19. Navistar Defense, LLC (Navistar Defense) today announced that the Board of Directors appointed Ted Wright as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective November 2019. He was previously named to the Navistar Defense Board of Directors in October. Wright joins Navistar Defense from The O’Gara Group, where he served as CEO. He has held leadership positions in engineering management, strategy and business development, and general management with more than 30 years of experience in the aerospace, security and defense business. Wright’s extensive leadership experience supporting warfighters includes: Chief Operating Officer of Vectrus, CEO of ACADEMI; President of KBR North American Government and Defense; President of BAE Systems Technology Solutions and Services Division; Vice President, Strategic Development of United Defense; and Vice President and Director of ITT Industries Systems Engineering Group. Wright served as a U.S. Air Force active duty and reserve officer for 30 years.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
11 Nov 19. Boeing has officially confirmed its new vice president and managing director for the company’s Australian defence business following the passing of Darren Edwards earlier this year. Defence Connect can confirm the appointment of Scott Carpendale as vice president and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia. Carpendale will be based at Boeing Defence Australia’s head office in Brisbane, where he will also serve as a board member of Boeing Australia Holdings and a member of the Boeing Australia leadership team led by Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific president Maureen Dougherty. Carpendale has been with Boeing for 17 years in senior leadership positions in Australia and the United States. Carpendale’s most recent role was director of Boeing Defence Australia’s Commercial Derivative Aircraft business where he led all E-7A Airborne Early Warning & Control programs, including a range of contracts under the Wedgetail Head Agreement Deed that supports sustainment and capability enhancements. He has also led various business functions, including supply chain management, engineering, operations and program management, and he spent two years in the US as director of strategic customer relationships, where he performed a liaison role on behalf of Boeing Defence Australia. (Source: Defence Connect)