LOCATIONS
LAND
18 Dec 19. Liteye Systems Expands Manufacturing – Opens 55K Sq. Ft. Facility. Liteye Systems, Inc. the US leader in Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems, announced the opening of a new 55,000 square foot facility in Highfield Business Park, near Centennial Airport, CO to accommodate rapid growth and support increasing manufacturing demands. In addition to the corporate headquarters in Centennial, CO and UK office, the new facility will bring the company’s office and manufacturing footprint to over 80,000 square feet and supports the company’s growth strategy. Liteye added 21 jobs in 2019 and plans an additional 20 jobs next year.
Liteye, founded by Kenneth Geyer and Tom Scott in January of 2000, is now ranked as one of the leading privately held companies in Colorado. Liteye has over $70M in counter drone contracts with the US DoD and is Combat Proven with over 1000 defeats against enemy drones by ISIS, Taliban and others.
“When Liteye started we designed and manufactured small products, such as Head Mounted Displays and covert thermal cameras,” stated Kenneth Geyer, CEO. “As the company grew and evolved into the counter unmanned systems market, the need for square footage and taller ceilings to house multiple vehicles, trailers and shipping containers on a production line to meet customer demands became necessary.”
“Like most companies, in the beginning we focused mainly on the engineering portion, subcontracting the manufacturing and assembly of our products outside the company. As our military business grew, we brought both those capabilities inside the company to meet MIL-STD requirements and fast delivery times.” Said Thomas Scott, CTO “It started with just one CNC machine and has been growing ever since, where today we have a state-of-the-art machine shop and full production floor.” (Source: UAS VISION)
18 Dec 19. RT LTA Systems Ltd. – a world-class designer, developer and manufacturer of aerostats for use in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communications applications – inaugurates its new headquarters in Yavne, Israel. Three times larger than RT’s previous offices, the new building houses all of the company’s activities under one roof including the aerostats’ production hall and assembly line, a new in-house training center, an R&D lab and even a gym for the company’s employees. As part of the overall upgrade, a special effort was put in rebuilding the aerostat’s assembly line using advanced equipment, in order to allow a much faster and more efficient production process. This now allows the company to offer its aerostat systems at an even more affordable price 20-25% less than the original, therefore opening its offers to new civilian markets and to customers that were struggling to purchase the systems beforehand.
MARITIME
18 Dec 19. Spanish Guardia Civil receives first hybrid-powered patrol boat. The Maritime Service (Semar) of Spain’s paramilitary Guardia Civil police force has taken delivery of its first hybrid-powered ocean going patrol boat, Rio Arlanza.
The 35 m vessel was handed over at the southern port of Algeciras overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar in December, from where it will operate in one of the main areas for drug and people trafficking into Europe from North Africa.
Built by Armon Shipyard at its facility in Burela, Galicia, Rio Arlanza is similar in design to the four Guardamar-class vessels operated by the maritime safety body SASEMAR.
“It’s a modification and modernisation of the Guardamar design, and is about four metres longer,” the company’s commercial director Ricardo Garcia told Jane’s on 17 December. (Source: Jane’s)
18 Dec 19. NASSCO cuts first steel for US Navy fleet oiler USNS Harvey Milk. General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company has started construction on a US Navy ship named after Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist who served in the military. The company marked the beginning of the construction on the future John Lewis-class USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206) replenishment oiler with a ceremony at its shipyard. The first 100t of steel for the ship were cut during the event.
Program Executive Office Ships Support Ships, Boats and Craft programme manager Mike Kosar said: “This ship will have significant contributions as part of our Combat Logistics Force, serving as the primary fuel pipeline from resupply ports to ships at sea.
“Today’s ceremony marks an important milestone as our navy works to recapitalise our ageing fleet replenishment capabilities, ensuring our warfighters have the resources they need to keep them combat year for years to come.”
The class is designed to recapitalise the US Navy’s T-AO 187-class fleet replenishment oilers currently in service.
The John Lewis-class ships will be primarily used to supply fuel to ships and aircraft during underway replenishment at sea.
The fleet oilers serve as the supply line for the navy’s surface combatant ships.
T-AO 206 will be operated by the Military Sealift Command and is the first US Navy ship to be named in honour of an openly gay leader.
Harvey Milk, who served in the US Navy in the 1950s, was forced to resign from the service in 1955 due to his sexual orientation.
He was later elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors before he was assassinated in 1978.
The announcement to name the fleet oiler for Harvey Milk was made in 2016. The keel of the first John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler, the future USNS John Lewis (T-AO 205), was laid at the General Dynamics shipyard in May. (Source: naval-technology.com)
18 Dec 19. HII launches US Navy’s aircraft carrier John F Kennedy into water. Newport News Shipbuilding division launched John F Kennedy (CVN 79) into the James River, four weeks ahead of the original schedule. Credit: Ashley Cowan/HII. Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division has launched the US Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, John F Kennedy (CVN 79), into the water for the first time.
The nuclear-powered carrier was launched into the James River for the first time from Newport News Shipbuilding’s Dry Dock 12 on 16 December.
The ship was then moved to the shipyard’s Pier 3 with the help of six tugboats. It is set to undergo further outfitting and testing at the pier.
John F Kennedy programme director Mike Butler said: “This move is significant in that it represents a shift in focus from erecting the ship in dock to final completion and outfitting at the pier.
“It is also a testament to the amazing teamwork I see every day between Newport News Shipbuilding and the navy as we work together to build Kennedy with valuable first-of-class lessons from the Ford.”
The latest phase of construction on the ship will involve work for a period of two and a half years.
Work will include completion of berthing and mess areas and the testing of distributive, mechanical and combat systems.
John F Kennedy was christened earlier this month during a ceremony at the Newport News Shipbuilding division. The newest Gerald R Ford-class ship is the second aircraft carrier named for former US President John F Kennedy. HII expects to deliver the vessel to the US Navy in 2022. (Source: naval-technology.com)
17 Dec 19. Mexico’s SIGMA 10514 frigate finishes sea trials. The Mexican Navy recently finished the Sea Acceptance Tests (SAT) for its DAMEN SIGMA 10514 multipurpose frigate, ARM Reformador. The trials were conducted from 18 November 18 to 9 December 2019, off the coast of Oaxaca and Guerrero states, in Mexico’s southern Pacific region, the navy said. The SIGMA 10514 is part of the Mexican Navy’s Long Range Patrol Vessel Project, locally known as POLA (Patrulla Oceánica de Largo Alcance), which intends to provide the force with eight frigates before the end of the next decade. Construction began in 2016, with four out of six ship modules, or sections, being built locally at the navy’s ASTIMAR 20 shipyard in Salina Cruz, Oaxaca, whereas two modules – bridge and propulsion modules – were built in the Netherlands. (Source: Jane’s)
16 Dec 19. Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) 19, the future USS St. Louis, completed Acceptance Trials in Lake Michigan. Now that trials are complete, the ship will undergo final outfitting and fine-tuning before delivery. LCS 19 is the tenth Freedom-variant LCS designed and built by the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)-led industry team and is slated for delivery to the Navy early next year.
“The LCS fleet is growing in numbers and capability, and LCS 19’s completion of acceptance trials means the Navy will shortly have 10 Freedom-variant fast, focused-mission ships in the fleet,” said Joe DePietro, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager, Small Combatants and Ship Systems. “As each Freedom-variant hull deploys, we seek out and incorporate fleet feedback and lessons learned to roll in capabilities for new hulls. As a result, LCS 19 includes a solid-state radar, upgraded communications suite, increased self-defense capabilities and topside optimization, among other updates.”
In total, there are more than 500,000 nautical miles under the keel of Freedom-variant LCS. The Freedom-variant LCS has completed three successful deployments with a fourth ongoing. In October, LCS 7 (USS Detroit) deployed to the U.S. Southern Command supporting the Martillo campaign – a multinational effort targeting illicit trafficking routes in Central American coastal waters.
LCS is designed to deliver speed to capability and to grow as the missions it serves evolve. Today, the Freedom-variant LCS delivers advanced capability in anti-submarine, surface and mine countermeasure missions. The Freedom-variant LCS is targeted for warfighting upgrades to enhance situational awareness and evolve the ship’s self-defense capabilities. These upgrades are already underway – LCS computing infrastructures are receiving cyber upgrades and over-the-horizon missiles are being installed in support of upcoming deployments.
Unique among combat ships, the focused-mission LCS is designed to support mine countermeasures, anti-submarine and surface warfare missions and is easily adapted to serve future and evolving missions. The Freedom-variant LCS is:
- Flexible — Forty percent of the hull is easily reconfigurable, able to integrate Longbow Hellfire Missiles, 30 mm guns, and manned and unmanned vehicles designed to meet today’s and tomorrow’s missions.
- Lethal — LCS is standard equipped with Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM) and a Mark 110 gun, capable of firing 220 rounds per minute.
- Fast — LCS is capable of speeds in excess of 40 knots.
- Automated — LCS has the most efficient staffing of any combat ship.
“Progress on the Freedom-variant program and LCS 19’s achievement would not be possible without the expertise and effort of our shipbuilders at Fincantieri Marinette Marine, and our strong partnership with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy,” said Jan Allman, Fincantieri Marinette Marine president and CEO. “We are dedicated to delivering an effective, capable product to our armed forces.”
AIR
18 Dec 19. Germany receives final Eurofighter under current programme-of-record. Germany has received the final Eurofighter combat aircraft under its current programme-of-record (PoR), the consortium confirmed to Jane’s on 18 December. The final Tranche 3A aircraft, Luftwaffe serial 31.53, departed Airbus’ Manching production facility in southern Germany on 17 December. With this delivery, the Luftwaffe has received into service 143 Eurofighters since the first Tranche 1 aircraft was handed over in 2003.
With this milestone, Germany became the second partner nation after the United Kingdom to conclude its Eurofighter PoR. The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) received its final Tranche 3A aircraft from BAE Systems’ Warton site on 27 September, which brought to an end a production run of 160 aircraft for the RAF that began in 2003.
In the near-term the Manching facility near Munich will focus on delivering parts for assembly at the other national production facilities in Italy, Spain, and the UK. A Eurofighter representative noted to Jane’s that the line will remain busy through to Project Quadriga that will see the Luftwaffe replace 32 early Tranche 1 aircraft with up to 38 new build and active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar-equipped Eurofighters. A contract for this is expected from the German government shortly.
This continued component manufacture and Project Quadriga work will see the line at Manching through to any eventual decision on Germany’s Tornado replacement and NATO electronic attack requirements (the latter is dubbed the Luftgestützte Wirkung im Elektromagnetischen Spektrum [luWES] programme). If successful and sole-source selected for both, Eurofighter could be contracted to build a further 97 aircraft for the Luftwaffe on top of the 38 already earmarked for Project Quadriga. (Source: Jane’s)
17 Dec 19. Myanmar Air Force commissions 10 new aircraft to boost counter-insurgency capabilities. In one of its largest single inductions of combat aircraft in recent years, the Myanmar Air Force (MAF) has commissioned a total of 10 new fixed- and rotary-wing platforms that will further enhance its counter-insurgency capabilities.
In a 15 December ceremony held at Meiktila Air Base to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the MAF’s founding, the Myanmar military’s (Tatmadaw’s) commander-in-chief, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, presided over the commissioning of two JF-17 ‘Thunder’ multirole fighters, six Yakolev Yak-130 ‘Mitten’ advanced jet-trainers/light attack aircraft, and two Mil Mi-35P ‘Hind’ helicopter gunships. All three types of the newly inducted aircraft are already in MAF service. (Source: Jane’s)
16 Dec 19. Brazilian Navy announces KC-2 test flight for March 2020. The Grumman KC-2 Turbo Trader Carrier onboard Delivery/Air-to-Air Refuelling (COD/AAR) aircraft for the Brazilian Navy will carry out its first test flight in March 2020, the service’s Commander Fleet-Admiral Ilques Barbosa Junior revealed on 13 December. Four former US Navy C-1A Trader aircraft are being modernised by Marsh Aviation and Elbit Systems of America to the KC-2 Turbo Trader COD/AAR configuration according to an initial contract dated 20 October 2011, with deliveries scheduled for 2021. The fleet will be operated from São Pedro da Aldeia naval air base by the Squadron VEC-1 in roles such as AAR with a palletised aerial refuelling system, paratrooper airdrop, search and rescue, medical evacuation, personnel and cargo transport, electronic warfare, and reconnaissance. (Source: Jane’s)
17 Dec 19. Kenyan MD 530F helos shown in-country. MD Helicopters Inc (MDHI) appears to have made good on its commitment to deliver all six MD 530F Cayuse Warrior scout and light-attack platforms to Kenya before the end of the year, with an image posted online said to show the helicopters recently arriving in-country. The single image posted on Twitter shows at least five MD 530Fs wearing Kenyan national makings, as well as in the national desert camouflage colour scheme, parked in a hangar alongside a different helicopter type, likely a Chinese-built Z-9WE that is known to be in-service with the Kenyan Army. The MD 530Fs are in a state of partial disassembly consistent with having been air transported from MDHI’s production facility in Mesa, Arizona; have tinted glass for operations in sunny environments; and are marked ‘Army’ on the engine cowling, along with an individual serial number (546, 547, and 548 are visible on three of the helicopters in the image, while 545 was previously shown on a helicopter ahead of delivery at Mesa). (Source: Jane’s)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
20 Dec 19. PC-9A retires after three decades of service. Thirty years of service have come to an end for the aircraft, which Defence said has proven to be the backbone of Air Force and Navy flight training.
The PC-9/A aircraft was officially farewelled during a ceremony at RAAF Base Pearce in Western Australia last week.
Deputy Air Commander Australia Air Commodore Guy Wilson said he was proud to join hundreds of RAAF members, personnel from supporting contractor Airflite, along with representatives from original manufacturer Pilatus and their respective families at the function.
“The PC-9 aircraft has provided fantastic service to the Australian Defence Force over the past three decades,” AIRCDRE Wilson said.
“The aircraft has successfully supported 103 pilot training courses and graduated more than 1,400 pilots from Navy and Air Force.”
The PC-9/A retirement comes as Defence introduces one of the world’s most advanced training aircraft, the PC-21, as part of the new pilot training system project.
“For those who have flown and supported the PC-9 fleet, seeing them retire will be an emotional experience – but the introduction of the PC-21 allows us to deliver modern and effective training that will serve the next generation of pilots,” AIRCDRE Wilson said.
The PC-9/A aircraft was introduced to service in 1987 and began pilot training two years later.
The retired fleet of PC-9/A aircraft will be disposed through transferring to heritage centres, allocated as training aids and through commercial sale. (Source: Defence Connect)
18 Dec 19. Kari Bingen, key DoD intelligence official, to depart Pentagon. Bingen, the principal deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence, has announced her intention to leave the Pentagon.
In her role, Bingen served as the No. 2 intelligence official in the Department of Defense. She worked in a number of congressional staff positions, most notably policy director for the House Armed Services Committee under then-Chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, immediately before heading to the department.
Bingen’s last day will be Jan. 10, according to a department spokesman. Her planned exit was first reported by Politico.
She becomes the fourth top defense official to announce plans to leave the department in the last week. On Dec. 12, it was announced that Randall Schriver, the Pentagon’s top Asia policy official, would be leaving shortly. One day later, on Dec. 13, Jimmy Stewart, who served as the acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness since October 2018, announced his retirement from federal service. And on Tuesday, Defense News reported that Steven Walker, who served as the 21st head of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, will leave the position on Jan. 10 for an industry job.
The apparent Defense Department exodus has opened the Trump administration up to a new avenue of criticism. the Senate Armed Services Committee’s ranking member, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said in an interview Wednesday that it reflects a broader “dysfunction” and “hollowing out” of the nation’s national security apparatus.
Poor morale and the departures of staffers at the State Department has been widely reported, amid budget cuts and Trump’s firing of Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine. But at the Pentagon ― now overseen by the Trump administration’s third national security adviser ― is suffering its own malaise, he said.
“It’s more obvious at the State Department, the criticism that career officials have been taking for doing their jobs, firing of ambassadors,” Reed said. “In [the] Defense [Department], there’s a carry over ― the notion of not only not being appreciated, but ignored [by the White House].”
“You have a national security apparatus at the White House that is dysfunctional,” he added. “The president doesn’t seem to be interested in facts and analysis, and I think [that] permeates down to the [Defense] Department.”
The practical effect is that with fewer career professionals and experts to draw on, Reed said, “you’re not anticipating problems and you’re not as well prepared to respond to problems. Sos this is a very difficult problem.”
In August, then-newly appointed Defense Secretary Mark Esper acknowledged that there needs to be “stable leadership” among civilian leaders in the department, and expressed his belief that the vacancies would be filled. (Source: Defense News)
18 Dec 19. Top defense exports official exits the Pentagon amid multiple recent resignations. Ambassador Tina Kaidanow, a longtime State Department official who joined the Pentagon in 2018, has left her position as senior adviser for international cooperation, Defense News has learned. Her departure represents the fifth high-level official at the Defense Department to either exit or announce plans to leave the Pentagon in just the last week.
Kaidanow stepped down from her role on Dec. 16, department spokesman Lt. Col. Michael Andrews told Defense News. Michael Vaccaro, the department’s director for international armaments cooperation, will serve as the acting senior adviser.
“The department remains committed to the development and implementation of international cooperative programs and defense exportability efforts to foster cooperation with U.S. allies on research, development, production and support of weapons systems and related equipment,” Andrews said in a statement. “The department will not provide anything further on this personnel matter.”
Kaidanow was the first to lead the international cooperation office, which was created under a Pentagon reorganization to ensure “mutually beneficial international cooperative R&D programs consistent with national security considerations.” She worked closely with Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord, as well as Lt. Gen. Charles Hooper, the head of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, on growing weapon sales with foreign partners and allies.
Kaidanow served as the principal deputy assistant secretary of the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs at the U.S. State Department — and as its acting assistant secretary for political-military affairs — between 2016 and her joining the Pentagon. In that role, she was the State Department’s point person on arms transfer issues, as well as a key point person in communications between the Defense and State departments. She also was instrumental in reforms to the Conventional Arms Transfer policy, part of the Trump administration’s push to increase American arms sales abroad.
Kaidanow’s departure is the fifth notable exit from the department in just the last week.
On Dec. 12, it was announced that Randall Schriver, the Pentagon’s top Asia policy official, would be leaving shortly. One day later, on Dec. 13, Jimmy Stewart, who served as the acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness since October 2018, announced his retirement from federal service. And on Tuesday, Defense News reported that Steven Walker, who served as the 21st head of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, will leave the position on Jan. 10 for an industry job. And earlier today the department confirmed that Kari Bingen, principal deputy undersecretary of defense for intelligence, will also resign as of Jan. 10.
The exodus means there are now five more top jobs among an existing number of vacancies inside the department. Just inside the policy shop, David Trachtenberg, the deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, retired in July, while Robert Karem departed as the assistant defense secretary for international security affairs in October 2018; both those roles are filled by acting individuals. Currently, six of the 21 deputy assistant secretary of defense for policy positions are unfilled.
Matt Donovan, the undersecretary of the Air Force, has been temporarily moved into the spot vacated by Stewart, creating another hole. Other top positions filled by acting officials include the chief management officer and comptroller roles, as well as the secretary of the Navy.
In August, then-newly appointed Defense Secretary Mark Esper acknowledged that there needs to be “stable leadership” among civilian leaders in the department, and expressed his belief that the vacancies would be filled. On Wednesday, the Senate Armed Services Committee’s ranking member, Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., warned that the practical effect is that with fewer career professionals and experts to draw on, “you’re not anticipating problems and you’re not as well-prepared to respond to problems. So this is a very difficult problem.” (Source: Defense News)
17 Dec 19. DARPA head resigns, moving on to industry, Steven Walker, the 21st director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), today announced his resignation, effective Jan.10, 2020, Defense News has learned. Walker will move on to a position in industry, though a DARPA spokesman did not reveal where. DARPA deputy director Peter Highnam, a former director of research at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, will assume the role of acting director until a permanent director is appointed. Highnam is also a former director of the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA).
DARPA is responsible for driving development of emerging technologies for use by the military. Walker and Vint Cerf, inventor of the Internet, spoke to Defense News about that role in March, and how DARPA can support engagement with the tech community.
Among the key efforts launched under Walker’s tenure at DARPA was development and fielding of the Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile, which was accomplished in half the time of a normal development program, DARPA noted in an email. Walker also reinvigorated the agency’s hypersonic weapons and space efforts, with major programs in boost-glide and air-breathing missile development and distributed low Earth orbit satellite constellations.
Also noted by the agency: Under Walker’s leadership, DARPA launched the three-year, $1.5bn Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI) as well the five-year $2bn AI Next program. Walker also “made pivotal investments in the realm of engineered biology, resulting in several breakthroughs, chief among them a program that has helped reduce Ebola fatality rates by more than 70 percent,” the email stated. Walker succeeded Arati Prabhakar, who left the Agency in January 2017. (Source: Defense News)
15 Dec 19. Turkey’s Erdogan Threatens to Close Strategic Bases to US Military. Turkey is upping the ante with threats to retaliate against the US if it imposes sanctions on Ankara for its purchase of a Russian missile system. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday threatened to close two strategic military bases used by the United States in Turkey if Washington imposes sanctions on Ankara for buying a Russian missile system.
“If necessary, we’ll close Incirlik and also Kurecik,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told broadcaster A Haber on Sunday, referring to two military bases used by the United States. “If the threat of sanctions is implemented against us, we’ll respond to them in the framework of reciprocity.”
Incirlik is an air base in southern Turkey that has played a major role in US military operations in the Middle East and Afghanistan, and more recently against the “Islamic State” (IS) group in Syria and Iraq. The US military also stores around 50 B-61 gravity nuclear bombs at the base. Kurecik in eastern Turkey houses a NATO radar station. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Deutsche Welle German radio)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
18 Dec 19. Australia launches international search for new head of Space Agency. Fancy yourself as a space leader? Well, the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology has officially launched an international search for the next head of the Australian Space Agency.
Dr Megan Clark, AC, completes her term as the head of the Australian Space Agency in the middle of next year, with a global search now underway for a replacement.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews thanked Dr Clark for her leadership as the first head of the ASA.
“Dr Clark has helped show the world that Australia is a serious player in space technology and exploration. The job of our next agency head will be to build on that foundation by helping Australian businesses secure a bigger share of the space race,” Minister Andrews said.
She added, “Space businesses and advanced manufacturers across the country have seen the opportunities in the space market and they aren’t wasting any time. The next head of the Australian Space Agency will be someone who can match this emerging sector’s energy and dynamism as we work together to grow a globally respected Australian industry.”
Dr Clark said it had been an honour to serve as interim head of the ASA.
“It has been exciting to be involved in the early stages of such an important initiative and our success so far is testament to the support we have received from the community and space industry and the professionalism and commitment of our people,” Dr Clark said.
As well as overseeing the further development of the agency, the role involves working with the states and territories, building relationships with international partner agencies, and growing Australia as a hub for local and international space businesses.
The new head will lead co-operation with NASA to develop Australia’s expertise in automation, robotics and remote asset management for use in space, providing a boost to local industry.
The head of the Space Agency is responsible to, and is appointed by, the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology.
Minister Andrews added, “The next agency head doesn’t just have big shoes to fill replacing Dr Clark, they will need the drive and vision to lead an Australian space sector that is moving fast.”
Qualified Australian citizens both at home and abroad will be considered for the position. (Source: Space Connect)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
Regular Army
19 Dec 19. MG Robin L. Fontes to deputy commanding general (Operations), U.S. Army Cyber Command, Fort Belvoir, Virginia. She most recently served as senior defense official and defense attaché, U.S. Defense Attaché Office, India.
U.S. Army Reserve
19 Dec 19. MG Marion Garcia to chief of staff (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She most recently served as commander (Troop Program Unit), 200th Military Police Command, Fort Meade, Maryland.
19 Dec 19. MG Chris R. Gentry, commander (Troop Program Unit), U.S. Army Support Command – First Army; and deputy commanding general, First Army Headquarters, Rock Island, Illinois, to director of operations, J3 (Wartime), U.S. Forces Korea, South Korea.
19 Dec 19. MG Mary-Kate Leahy, commander (Troop Program Unit), 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training), Charlotte, North Carolina, to assistant deputy chief of staff (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Intelligence Office, Deputy Chief of Staff, G2, Washington, District of Columbia.
19 Dec 19. MG Alberto C. Rosende to commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 63d Readiness Division, Mountain View, California. He most recently served as chief of staff (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
19 Dec 19. MG Richard C. Staats to commander (Troop Program Unit), 75th Innovation Command, Houston, Texas. He most recently served as deputy commander (Troop Program Unit), 75th Training Command, Houston, Texas.
19 Dec 19. BG (Promotable) Rodney L. Faulk, commander (Troop Program Unit), Atlantic Training Division, 84th Training Command, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, to commander (Troop Program Unit), U.S. Army Reserve Support Command, First Army; and deputy commanding general, First Army, Rock Island, Illinois.
19 Dec 19. BG (Promotable) John F. Hussey to commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 200th Military Police Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. He most recently served as deputy commander, Joint Task Force-Guantanamo, Operation Enduring Freedom, Cuba.
19 Dec 19. BG (Promotable) Andrew J. Juknelis, chief of staff (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Eighth Army, Korea, to commander (Troop Program Unit), 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training), Charlotte, North Carolina.
19 Dec 19. BG Vincent E. Buggs, commanding general, 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Marysville, Washington, to deputy commanding general (Operations) and director, Army Reserve Engagement Cell (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), U.S. Army North, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
19 Dec 19. BG Walter M. Duzzny, director, Army Reserve Engagement Cell and deputy commanding general (Support), U.S. Army North, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 78th Training Division (Operations), Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
19 Dec 19. BG Christopher J. Dziubek to director, Civil Affairs and Civilian Military Operations (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), U.S. Army Element, U.S. Forces Korea, Korea. He most recently served as chief of staff (Troop Program Unit), 84th Training Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky.
19 Dec 19. BG Jeffrey W. Jurasek to commander (Troop Program Unit), 1st Mission Support Command, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. He most recently served as commander (Troop Program Unit), 352d Civil Affairs Command, Fort Meade, Maryland.
19 Dec 19. BG Joseph M. Lestorti to assistant director for Global Integration and Current Operations, J-3, Joint Staff, Washington, District of Columbia. He most recently served as commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 78th Training Division (Operations), Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.
19 Dec 19. BG Stuart E. Werner to commanding general, 364th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Marysville, Washington. He most recently served as deputy commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 79th Theater Sustainment Command, Los Alamitos, California.
19 Dec 19. Col. (Promotable) Joseph A. Ricciardi to deputy commanding general – Support (Troop Program Unit), 81st Readiness Division, Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He most recently served as deputy chief of staff, G3 (Troop Program Unit), 416th Engineer Command, Darien, Illinois.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
16 Dec 19. The Governor-General of Australia has accepted the government’s recommendation to appoint Rachel Noble PSM as the director-general of the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD). Noble becomes the first female ASD head and is also the first woman to lead a major intelligence agency in Australia.
“Ms Noble’s deep experience in intelligence strongly positions her to lead ASD in executing its important national security mission,” a joint release from the Prime Minister and Minister for Defence said. “She has vital technical expertise having previously worked in ASD and has a strong understanding of the role the organisation plays in the national intelligence community. Most recently, Ms Noble has been the head of the Australian Cyber Security Centre, where she is responsible for leading the Australian government’s cyber security capabilities, responding to cyber security threats and incidents, and collaborating with government, industry and the community on cyber security matters.”
The joint release also noted that Noble’s appointment is a significant step forward for women in the national security sector, while also thanking outgoing director-general of the ASD Lieutenant General John Frewen DSC, AM, for his work in the role. (Source: Defence Connect)
19 Dec 19. Australian SIAA welcomes Space Environment Research Centre CEO as chair. The Space Industry Association of Australia (SIAA) has welcomed David Ball, CEO of the Space Environment Research Centre, as the new chair of the board. Ball has over 25 years of experience in the space, communications and defence sectors, with a significant portion of his career spent specialising in satellite communications. He has held senior positions with several commercial satellite communications operators, including Intelsat and PanAmSat, with roles encompassing sales management, business development, customer service engineering, space systems design and spacecraft and launch vehicle acquisition. Ball has also had significant involvement in satellite frequency co-ordination activities, spacecraft insurance placement and capital raise processes. Prior to joining SERC, he led communications projects for the Australian Department of Defence (through Envista) during 2016 and 2017. (Source: Space Connect)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
19 Dec 19. Naval Group and Airspeed sign MOU to offer masts for future subs. Naval Group and South Australia-based Airspeed have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to respond to the design competition launched by Lockheed Martin Australia for the masts of the Attack Class submarines. Thanks to its long history in building submarines for both French and export markets, Naval Group has developed a new carbon composite mast implementing the latest innovations in composites.
Naval Group’s solution offers outstanding performance in terms of weight, resistance and operational efficiency, but also in terms of integration with the Attack Class platform.
Recently, Steve Barlow, Airspeed managing director, was in France to visit Naval Group’s facilities located at Angoulême-Ruelle and Lorient.
“We are excited to be working on this composites project with Naval Group and believe the Naval Group technical solution is truly unique. If successful in the competition, the opportunity to work on the Future Submarine Program will be a defining step in the development of our company and our national sovereign capabilities and we look forward to be part of this defining national journey,” Barlow explained.
Representatives from Airspeed also took part in a test for Automated Manufacture of Advanced Composites (AMAC) hosted by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Training Centre at the University of New South Wales in November and will be closely involved in the research Naval Group is leading with Australian universities on composites and additive manufacturing.
François Romanet, Naval Group Pacific CEO, said, “Naval Group has developed a solution that will meet all operational requirements of the Royal Australian Navy. Airspeed has impressive capabilities when it comes to composites manufacturing.”
The Attack Class submarines will be delivered as part of the $50bn SEA 1000 Future Submarine program. Naval Group will deliver 12 regionally-superior submarines to the Royal Australian Navy.
“If successful in the competition, we have decided to start working together as soon as the design phase to ensure these masts will be produced and maintained in South Australia,” Romanet added.
Naval Group’s successful Shortfin Barracuda design, which serves as the basis for the new Attack Class, is a conventionally-powered variant of the nuclear-powered Barracuda fast attack submarine currently under construction for the French Navy.
Lockheed Martin will provide the AN/BYG-1 combat control system, which provides an open-architecture submarine combat control system for analysing and tracking submarine and surface-ship contacts, providing situational awareness as well as the capability to target and employ torpedoes and missiles.
The 12 vessels will be built by Naval Group at a specialist submarine shipyard at Osborne, South Australia. The Commonwealth government’s Australian Naval Infrastructure (ANI) program will support the development of the future submarine shipyards.
The Commonwealth government formally signed the strategic partnering agreement (SPA) with Naval Group in February 2019 ahead of confirming the final design specifications and requirements for the Attack Class submarines.
The Attack Class will enter service with the Royal Australian Navy at a time when 50 per cent of the world’s submarines will be operating in the Indo-Pacific region. (Source: Defence Connect)
18 Dec 19. Moog Australia Announces Strategic Agreement for Innovation in Defence Market. Moog Australia Pty. Ltd., a wholly owned Australian subsidiary of Moog Inc., announced today that the company has entered into a strategic agreement with Madrid-headquartered Escribano Mechanical and Engineering (Escribano or EM&E) to provide enhanced defence offerings in Australia and the Asia-Pacific markets. This strategic relationship aligns Moog’s core competencies in precision motion control for defence applications with Escribano’s integration capabilities for remote weapon systems, electro-optical tracking and sighting systems. In teaming, Moog and Escribano will develop sovereign capabilities within Australia for both local applications and exports into the Asia Pacific region. This goal meets the Commonwealth of Australia’s desire to create expertise, sovereign solutions and support long-term exports from Australia.
Moog Australia currently supports many defence programs including F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, Land 400, Land 907, Future Frigate, and Attack Class Submarine. In support of current and future programs, as well as the Moog and Escribano collaboration, Moog Australia plans to invest in upgrades to its current secure facility. “This multi-use development will support the requirements of the Defence and Aerospace markets and give Moog Australia the foundation to deliver localised production of advanced systems and products across the air, land, and sea domains in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region,” said Bryan O’Connor, Managing Director, Moog Australia.
Moog’s Business Director for Australia, Steve Darnell, commented: “We plan to enhance and extend our defence offerings by combining Moog’s technical heritage and agility together with Escribano’s structures and turreted weapon systems. I’m excited for our first collaboration on remote weapon systems with a focus on naval applications in a range of calibres, including 12.7, 20, 30, and 40mm weapon systems.”
The Strategic Partnership was officially announced during Moog Australia’s 40th Anniversary activities in November. “Moog has made a substantial contribution to Australian industry and the Australian Defence Forces over the last 40 years, providing mission critical sub-systems and components on platforms including: – F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet, ASLAV, M113, and Collins-class submarine. Our 40th Anniversary marks a new phase for Moog in Australia and is an exciting development for sovereign defence capabilities within Australia,” said Jim Riedel, Defence Sector Group Vice President, for Moog Inc. (Source: Google/BUSINESS WIRE)
PERSONNEL
17 Dec 19. Airbus Defence and Space enters discussion with employee representatives to boost competitiveness. The management of Airbus Defence and Space under the lead of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dirk Hoke today provided first information to start discussions with employee representatives in regards to potential measures to address cost structure and to boost the division’s long-term competitiveness and future positioning.
“Our overall product portfolio supports our strategic ambition to shape future air and space power, especially in our European home countries where we capture top positions for most of the segments we operate in”, said Dirk Hoke, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. “While the underlying business perspectives, especially in our core business, remain solid, our division has had to cope with unexpected headwinds over the last three years impacting order intake, EBIT and overall performance which could not be compensated through continuous improvement efforts. Our objective is to ensure the long-term competitiveness of our division and secure its future positioning.”
The company will provide an update to its plans in due course and continue a constructive dialogue with employee representatives.
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
09 Dec 19. Arianespace’s New Senior VP of Brand and Communications , he Comes from OneWeb. There will be a new name for Arianspace’s Senior Vice President – Brand and Communications, effective January 13, 2020. CEO Stéphane Israël announced the appointment of Gregory Gavroy as the Senior Vice President – Brand and Communications, whose responsibilities include Arianespace’s internal and external communications and brand strategy and Gavroy will coordinate all actions in support of the company’s brand image. Gavroy will be joining Arianespace’s executive committee and reporting to CEO Stéphane Israël. He succeeds Isabelle Veillon, who is leaving the company to pursue other opportunities. Prior to his appointment, Gavroy was the Head of Content and Media at aircraft manufacturer ATR, in charge of media relations and social media, as well as corporate transformation and internal communications. From 2016 to 2019, he was Director of Corporate Communications at OneWeb, where he implemented a 360 degree communications strategy for this startup specialized in delivering internet services to users around the world through its low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation. (Source: Satnews)
18 Dec 19. Jussi Järvinen, 40, Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration), has been appointed as President of Patria’s Land business unit as of 18th December 2019. He will be a member of the Board of Management, and he will report to Esa Rautalinko, President and CEO of Patria Group. The previous President of Land business unit Teemu Raitis will start in a new position outside Patria starting 1st of February 2020. Jussi Järvinen has an extensive experience of Land business. He has been working for five years at Patria in various management positions, most recent as Vice President, Operations. The key areas in Land business unit include armoured wheeled vehicles, mortar systems and related life cycle support services. Business unit employs 230 people in Hämeenlinna and Tampere.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
17 Dec 19. BAE Systems (BAES.L) said Tom Arseneault would replace Jerry DeMuro as chief executive of its U.S. business, BAE Systems Inc, next year. Arseneault, currently chief operating officer of BAE Systems Inc, will also join the board of the British mother company when DeMuro retires. DeMuro has been at the helm of the U.S. business, which has sales of $10.8bn and 33,000 employees, since 2014 and will stay at BAE until the end of 2020 to complete a number of projects including a governance review of global shipbuilding. BAE Systems Inc makes electronics systems for use on both combat and commercial aircraft as well as producing combat vehicles and naval guns and other military equipment in the U.S.. (Source: Reuters)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
17 Dec 19. Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technologies, announced the appointment of Ashmita Sethi to the position of managing director for India, said a company statement issued today. As the company’s senior-most in-country leader, Sethi will provide strategic direction for the firm’s growth and business goals in India, and drive all of its operations in the country, including customer relations and support, the company’s customer training centre in Hyderabad, communications and government affairs. (Source: Google/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/)