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LOCATIONS
LAND
17 Mar 20. F-35 Factories In Italy, Japan Are Reopening After Closing for Coronavirus. An assembly plant in Japan is already open and another in Italy is expected to reopen on Wednesday. Both of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter assembly plants outside the United States are expected to be up and running by Wednesday after brief coronavirus-related shutdowns. Leonardo’s final-assembly-and-checkout plant in Cameri, Italy, closed Monday and Tuesday for “deep cleaning and sanitization,” a person familiar with the F-35 program said Tuesday. That assembly plant is expected to reopen on Wednesday.
And Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ F-35 plant in Japan reopened this week after being closed last week, the person said.
Meanwhile the Lockheed Martin factory in Fort Worth, Texas, which builds F-35s for the U.S. military and most overseas customers, has not been affected by COVID-19, which has shuttered businesses and prompted firms across the United States to allow some employees to work from home.
“There’s been no significant impact to production or supply chain at this time,” the person familiar with the program said on the condition of anonymity.
In an emailed statement, Lockheed Martin, the lead F-35 contractor said: “As we monitor global developments we continue to use best practices to mitigate risks related to Coronavirus (COVID-19), while supporting the critical missions of our customers.”
Lockheed Martin has been urging employees potentially exposed to COVID-19 to work remotely and self-quarantine. (Source: Defense One)
12 Mar 20. Aerojet Rocketdyne nears completion of EMD facility in Camden. Aerojet Rocketdyne is moving closer to the completion of its engineering, manufacturing and development (EMD) facility in Camden, Arkansas, US. The company has achieved a construction milestone with the installation of a steel vacuum chamber casting bell. The casting bell has been relocated from Aerojet Rocketdyne’s Sacramento facility in California, US. It will be used to manufacture large solid rocket motors for hypersonics, intercontinental ballistic missile and Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) programmes. Motors produced at the new facility will measure approximately 470in long with a 100in diameter.
Aerojet Rocketdyne CEO and president Eileen Drake said: “The installation of the casting bell is a major milestone as Aerojet Rocketdyne continues to prepare for national security programmes, including the airforce’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent programme and the Missile Defense Agency’s Next Generation Interceptor programme.
“I would especially like to thank state and local leaders from the great state of Arkansas whose efforts have been critical to our ongoing expansion here in Camden.”
The decision to expand the Southern Arkansas facility near Camden was taken in August 2018. Construction on the 17,000ft² facility started in April last year. Expansion of Camden operations is part of Aerojet Rocketdyne’s ongoing partnership with the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, Calhoun County and the Ouachita Partnership for Economic Development. As part of the partnership agreement, Camden operations expansion is expected to generate more than 14 job opportunities by 2021. It also includes plans to improve the infrastructure with an investment of $50m. The new Aerojet Rocketdyne $15.5m EMD facility is expected to open in the middle of this year. Last year, the company was selected by Northrop Grumman to work for the GBSD programme. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
MARITIME
17 Mar 20. US Navy’s future USS Delbert D Black concludes acceptance trials. The US Navy’s future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Delbert D Black (DDG 119), has successfully concluded its acceptance trials. Sea trials were conducted for two days in the Gulf of Mexico. The vessel then returned to Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), Ingalls Shipbuilding Division. The ship and its crew performed several manoeuvres and demonstrated capabilities, which were reviewed by the US Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV). Before delivering the vessel to the US Navy, trials are conducted to examine the quality of construction and adherence to navy requirements and specifications. It also marks the completion of the third and final round of sea trials for the destroyer.
Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships DDG 51 class programme manager captain Seth Miller said: “The ship performed exceptionally well and demonstrated that the ship is materially ready to execute her mission.
“The success of these trials validates this highly capable ship will be a force multiplier when she joins the fleet.” DDG 119 vessel is integrated with the Aegis Baseline 9 combat system. It features integrated air and missile defence capabilities, including enhanced computing power and radar upgrades.
The upgraded capabilities will allow the destroyer to better address modern air warfare and ballistic missile defence threats.
The keel of the vessel was laid in June 2016 and the ship is expected to be delivered to the US Navy later this year.
The Arleigh Burke-class vessel is one of the four destroyers under construction at HII’s Pascagoula shipyard.
Other future destroyers are Frank E Peterson Jr (DDG 121), Lenah H Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), and Jack H Lucas (DDG 125).
Once operational, DDG 119 and her sister ships will contribute to global maritime security.
Conversion and Repair Gulf Coast Shipbuilding supervisor captain Nathan Schneider said: “DDG 119’s exceptional performance during these trials is a direct reflection of the teamwork between Ingalls Shipbuilding and the navy.
“I am proud of this ship and I am extremely proud of the Ingalls Shipbuilding and navy team that built her. Right behind DDG 119 are follow-on DDGs that will be even better, including the first Flight III DDG, which is a real game changer.” (Source: naval-technology.com)
13 Mar 20. Russia launches new Project 20380 corvette. Russia launched its seventh Project 20380 Steregushchiy-class corvette at Severnaya Shipyard in St Petersburg on 12 March. Retivy, which is the fifth ship of the class built at the yard, is intended to serve with the Russian Navy’s Black Fleet. This will make it the first Project 20380 corvette to join the Black Sea Fleet.
Two additional Project 20380-class ships are currently under construction at Severnaya Shipyard and two more are being built at the Amur Shipyard in Komsomolsk-on-Amur, in Russia’s Far East. Three more advanced Project 20385 and 20386 variants of the class are being worked on at Severnaya Shipyard or undergoing sea trials. (Source: Jane’s)
AIR
18 Mar 20. India’s Tejas LCA in FOC configuration makes maiden flight. A more advanced version of India’s indigenously designed Tejas Mk 1 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) conducted its maiden flight in Bangalore on 17 March, formally confirming the platform’s final operational clearance (FOC) configuration. According to India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the flight by the 21st serially produced (SP-21) fighter, which incorporates new features such as air-to-air refuelling and a beyond visual range (BVR) missile system, lasted for about 40 minutes. HAL said in a statement that the LCA’s flight in FOC configuration was the result of manufacturing improvements made to the aircraft based on operational feedback from the Indian Air Force (IAF), which has been operating the fighter in initial operational clearance (IOC) configuration since 2016. (Source: Jane’s)
03 Mar 20. USAF Purchases A-29s from Sierra Nevada Corporation. Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) was awarded an undefinitized contracting action by the U.S. Air Force to provide A-29 aircraft ground support equipment, pilot training (including difference training and instructor pilot upgrade training), contractor logistic support, aircraft sparing and sustainment for the Combat Air Advisor mission for Air Force Special Operations Command.
“SNC is honored to build and deliver the combat-proven A-29 to the U.S. Air Force,” said Mark Williams, vice president of aviation strategic plans and programs for SNC’s IAS business area. “The U.S Air Force will now have the opportunity to deploy the A-29 in support of U.S. and allied operations. This acquisition provides long-overdue capabilities to the warfighter and best value to the U.S. taxpayer.”
The A-29 is the gold standard of light attack combat and reconnaissance aircraft. Work begins immediately under this award in Jacksonville, Florida, and Centennial, Colorado. Aircraft deliver in 2021, and training and support activities continue through 2024.
The A-29 has already been selected by 14 partner air forces around the world to deliver cost-effective close air support and reconnaissance capabilities. For more than a decade, U.S. Special Forces have sought to secure the A-29 for close air support and reconnaissance operations. The A-29 Super Tucano is the gold standard for light attack, combat and reconnaissance aircraft. Built in the U.S. by Sierra Nevada Corporation and its partner, Embraer Defense & Security, the A-29 has been selected by 14 air forces including Afghanistan and Lebanon. The A-29 is a versatile and powerful turboprop aircraft and is known for its rugged and durable design, which allows it to perform operations from unimproved runways and at forward operating bases in austere environments and rugged terrain. The A-29 is the only light attack aircraft in the world with a U.S. Air Force Military Type Certificate. (Source: defense-aerospace.com/Sierra Nevada Corporation)
12 Mar 20. Longview’s 1st Production CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” Amphibious Aircraft Takes Inaugural Flight. Longview Aviation Services (LAS) of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in cooperation with Viking Air Limited of Victoria, British Columbia, is pleased to announce the first Viking CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” has taken its inaugural flight at Cascade Aerospace’s facility in Abbotsford, British Columbia.
Manufacturer’s serial number (MSN) 1081 is the first Canadair CL-215 to undergo the major modification to CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” configuration by LAS in collaboration with Cascade Aerospace. Cascade was awarded a contract to assist with the CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” modification program in 2018 that included carrying out the first aircraft modification using Viking-supplied conversion kits and providing on-site process training to LAS personnel.
This initial CL-415EAF is the first of six amphibious aerial firefighters ordered by launch customer Bridger Aerospace Group (Bridger Aerospace) of Bozeman, Montana and is scheduled for delivery in April in advance of the start of the 2020 North American wildfire season.
Don Boitson, President & Chief Operating Officer for Longview Aviation Western Operations, commented, “This is a significant milestone for the CL-415EAF Enhanced Aerial Firefighter program that wouldn’t have been possible without the focus, hard work and dedication of the entire team. With the conversion kit manufacturing support from Viking, the technical production expertise of Cascade, and the project management team at LAS, we have collaborated to produce the best-value amphibious firefighting aircraft available on the market today. I’m extremely proud of everyone who has contributed to make this program a success.”
The CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” modification program, originally announced in 2018 as a collaboration between the two subsidiaries of Longview Aviation Capital, provides an economic boost throughout Western Canada derived from job creation, aerospace manufacturing innovation, supply chain development, academic partnerships, and global export opportunities.
The Viking CL-415EAF modification program forms part of a staged approach to utilize the advancements made with the LAS converted aircraft as the basis for the proposed next-generation Viking CL-515 new-production aerial firefighting and multi-purpose amphibious aircraft.
About the CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter”
The Viking CL-415EAF “Enhanced Aerial Firefighter” is a specially selected CL-215 airframe converted to turbine configuration using Viking-supplied conversion kits. It features a new Collins Pro Line Fusion® integrated digital avionics suite, Pratt & Whitney PW123AF turbine engines, increased fire-retardant capacity, and improvements to numerous aircraft systems.
The Viking CL-415EAF represents the evolution of the type, providing best-in-class water drop performance utilizing the higher delivery 2-door water drop system combined with a zero-timed maintenance program and a “new aircraft” factory-supported warranty program. All obsolete components impacting the worldwide fleet of CL-215 & CL-415 aircraft are replaced in the CL-415EAF, and the upgraded aircraft is designed to failsafe FAR 25 certification criteria with no preset life limit.
The very short scooping distance of the CL-415EAF aircraft is expected to outperform competitors from initial attack to sustained major fire suppression, and the combination of safety and longevity represents exceptional value inherent in purpose-built aerial firefighting amphibious aircraft.
The CL-415EAF aircraft is the only aerial firefighter with factory OEM support offered by Viking’s Customer Service & Product Support division, including management of all Continuing Airworthiness, warranty items, in-service engineering, initial provisioning, as well as offering Viking’s M+ all-inclusive maintenance support program. All improvements and obsolescence issues addressed in the CL-415EAF aircraft will become the new aircraft production standard in the manufacture of an all new, next generation CL-515 multi-purpose amphibious aircraft. (Source: ASD Network/Viking Air Limited)
12 Mar 20. Boeing starts modification process to deliver first new Air Force One aircraft. Boeing has commenced modification on the first of two 747-8 aircraft, to be known as the new Air Force One, at its facility in San Antonio, Texas, US. The two modified 747-8 aircraft will replace the current presidential transport aircraft VC-25A, which is operated by the US Air Force (USAF). Under the VC-25B programme, the aircraft will be designed, modified, tested and delivered to serve for the next three decades. The programme is managed by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Presidential and Executive Airlift Directorate. The VC-25B programme will include performing electrical power upgrades, installation of a mission communication system and medical facility. Boeing 747-8 aircraft will also be provided with improved executive interior and autonomous ground operations capabilities. Aircraft operations are expected to commence in 2024. The first phase of the programme will involve cutting out large skin and structure areas in both the forward and aft lower lobes of the aircraft. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
18 Mar 20. Textron Aviation announces furlough of thousands of workers. Textron Aviation is furloughing more than 7,000 workers in the hopes of containing the spread of coronavirus, the company announced Wednesday. Textron Aviation mostly produces commercial business jets, turboprops and piston-engine aircraft through its Beechcraft, Cessna and Hawker brands. However, it also produces a number of military-specific aircraft, such as the Beechcraft T-6 Texan trainer used for basic pilot training by the U.S. Air Force and the AT-6 Wolverine, a weaponized version of that aircraft, and the Scorpion jet.
News of the furlough was first reported by The Wichita Eagle, which also detailed number of workers slated to lose work. Textron has declined to specify how many workers will be furloughed or the functional areas of the business that will be impacted.
Textron Aviation spokeswoman Sarah White said support for contracts would move forward, though with few details. The Air Force on Monday awarded Textron Aviation a $70m contract for two AT-6 planes, training and support. That aircraft is manufactured at its plant in Wichita, Kan.
“We are abiding by the requirements established by the DoD and our partner nations, as well as the protocols implemented across U.S. and customer bases worldwide,” she said in a written statement to Defense News. “We will continue to support our Defense customers according to our funded contract requirements.”
More generally speaking, the furlough “will allow us to do our part in mitigating and containing the spread of the COVID-19 through social distancing, while continuing to support our customers,” White said. The company is also “limiting large group meetings, increasing daily cleaning of its facilities, restricting travel, and cancelling our participation in several global meetings and events” in response to the pandemic. The furlough will last from March 23 until May 29, but each impacted employees will only lose four weeks of work, she said. (Source: glstrade.com/Defense News)
16 Mar 20. Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that Heidi Capozzi, senior vice president of Human Resources, will depart the company in early April to pursue another opportunity. Following an orderly transition, Wendy Livingston, currently vice president, Corporate Human Resources, will replace Capozzi on an interim basis until a permanent successor is named. Capozzi joined Boeing in 2009 and since 2016 has led the company’s leadership and learning, talent planning, employee and labor relations, total rewards, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
“For more than a decade, Heidi has demonstrated a deep commitment to engaging and inspiring our people, strengthening our culture and supporting our business,” said Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun. “During this time, she also built a world-class Human Resources team and helped elevate Boeing as an employer of choice, globally. We owe Heidi sincere gratitude for all she has accomplished, and we wish her well as she pursues a new opportunity.”
Livingston currently is responsible for leading a Human Resources team that supports several corporate functions. Previously, she oversaw Talent & Leadership, the organization responsible for identifying and developing leaders within the company, and led Human Resources for Commercial Aviation Services, a division of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Livingston joined Boeing in 1995 as a business and planning analyst at what was then McDonnell Douglas.
“Wendy is a proven Human Resources leader who brings strong business and customer knowledge, extensive experience, and passion for employee and leadership development to this interim role,” said Calhoun. “I’m thankful to Wendy for her service and support during this transition.”
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
13 Mar 20. WCH wins USAF contract to optimise care in military facilities. The US Air Force (USAF) has awarded a contract to Warrior Centric Health (WCH) to deliver the first part of a three-phase project to optimise care in military facilities. Under the contract awarded through the Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR), WCH will deliver the first phase of the project to help the airforce and armed services optimise healthcare for active-duty personnel, retirees, and family in healthcare facilities. This effort will support the Quadruple Aim Performance Plan of the Military Health Service aimed at improving readiness. WCH will fulfil the USAF contract with its Warrior Centric Solution Suite that has already been proven to enable civilian healthcare facilities to apply population-based health strategies for optimising care for their communities. The population-based health solution integrates data science, e-learning, professional credentialing, community outreach, and facility authorisation and will be adopted by the military healthcare facilities.
Warrior Centric Health CEO and co-founder Ron Steptoe said: “Because of the unique stresses of service, Warrior Community patients require their own brand of healthcare.
“It is critically important that the airforce’s civilian staff, military treatment facilities, clinics, and the TriCare networks are educated, trained, and credentialed to provide it.”
To fulfil the three phases of the contract, WCH will initially interview and sign up several military hospitals to pilot the Warrior Centric Solution Suite and document a continuous improvement roadmap to address specialised needs. The company will also standardise a solution adoption process for all military health facilities. The latest contract comes as the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is in the process of transitioning the Military Health System under its jurisdiction. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) will sponsor WCH’s efforts. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
19 Mar 20. MG John M. Wood, commander, Third Air Force, U.S. Air Forces in Europe and U.S. Air Forces Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany, to director, plans and programs, Headquarters U.S. Africa Command, Stuttgart, Germany.
19 Mar 20. BG Julian C. Cheater, director, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Cyber Effects Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia, to deputy director, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations; and director, Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Operations Center, J-3, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
19 Mar 20. BG Stewart A. Hammons, director, expeditionary support, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, to director, remotely piloted aircraft and airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Cyber Effects Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
19 Mar 20. BG David A. Harris Jr., director, strategic plans, programs and requirements, Headquarters Air Force Special Operations, Hurlburt Field, Florida, to director, Air Force Warfighting Integration Capability, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Integration and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia. (Previously announced as assigned to deputy director, Air Force Warfighting Integration Capability, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Integration and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.)
19 Mar 20. BG Jeffrey R. King, director, logistics, engineering and force protection, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, to commander, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex, Air Force Materiel Command, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma.
19 Mar 20. BG (select) William D. Betts, chief, Program Integration Division, Deputy Chief of Staff, Plans and Programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia, to vice commander, First Air Force, Air Forces Northern, Air Combat Command, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. (Previously announced as assigned to director, Coalition Air Advisory Training Team; director, Air Operations, CJTF-OIR; commander, 321st Air Expeditionary Wing; and deputy commander, 9th Air Expeditionary Task Force-Levant, Baghdad, Iraq.)
19 Mar 20. BG (select) Jennifer Hammerstedt, military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia, to commander, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex, Air Force Materiel Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.
19 Mar 20. BG (select) Stephen G. Purdy Jr., senior materiel leader, Space Superiority Directorate, Space and Missile Systems Center, Headquarters U.S. Space Force, Los Angeles, California, to director, Strategic Plans, Programs, Requirements and Analysis, Headquarters U.S. Space Force, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
16 Mar 20. The Department of Defense announced William (Bill) K. Lietzau as the new Director of the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). Lietzau will replace Acting Director Charles Phalen Jr., who has been acting director since July 2019. Under Phalen’s leadership, the NBIB was successfully transferred from the Office of Personnel Management to the DOD on October 1, 2019. This transfer consolidated 95% of the federal vetting enterprise under a single agency in the DOD. Additionally, he was instrumental in leading a workforce that spans the country to reduce the background investigation inventory backlog, improve processing timelines, and achieve a steady state level of clearances.
13 Mar 20. MG John R. Gordy II, commander, U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, Air Mobility Command, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, to assistant deputy, Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
13 Mar 20. BG Todd A. Dozier, vice commander, 5th Air Force; and director, Pacific Air Forces Joint Air Component Coordination Element, Pacific Air Forces, Yokota Air Base, Japan, to director, regional affairs, Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force, International Affairs, Office of the Under Secretary of the Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
13 Mar 20. BG John C. Walker, commander, 378th Air Expeditionary Wing, Air Forces Central Command, Prince Sultan Air Base, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to deputy director, Air Force Warfighting Integration Capability, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Integration and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, District of Columbia.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
16 Mar 20. Sonardyne International Ltd. has announced Graham Brown as its new Managing Director. Graham, who takes over the role from John Ramsden on April 1, has served on Sonardyne International’s board from 2008, most recently as Sales and Marketing Director and Deputy Managing Director. John, who has been Sonardyne International’s Managing Director since 2009, is staying within the Sonardyne family, taking the role of CEO of Sonardyne Group, the newly formed parent company of Sonardyne International and its sister companies; Chelsea Technologies, EIVA, Wavefront and 2G Robotics. Graham is an Electromechanical Engineer by background with a first-class degree and Ph.D. He is also a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institute of Directors (IoD), a Fellow of the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology (IMarEST), and a member of the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT). He contributes to a number of industry groups such as the Southern Region Council of the Energy Industries Council (EIC).
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
17 Mar 20. AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, announced today that H. John Gilbertson, Jr., retired Managing Director of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., has been elected to the Company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. The addition of Mr. Gilbertson increases the size of the Board from 11 to 12 directors. Mr. Gilbertson, 63, served as a strategic and financial advisor to clients of Goldman Sachs for 27 years as a Managing Director and as Partner-in-Charge of investment banking services for the Midwest Region. Before joining the firm in 1987, he held roles at Morgan Stanley, Bain & Company and Chase Manhattan Bank. He serves on the Board of Directors of Dover Corporation, a publicly traded company, and Meijer Inc., a privately held company.
19 Mar 20. Altitude Angel, a world-wide UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) technology provider, has announced that Richard Ellis will take up the position of Chief Business Officer with immediate effect. Ellis joins Altitude Angel having previously held the role of VP Worldwide Customer Success at AirMap. (Source: UAS VISION)
16 Mar 20. The Board of Directors of Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has elected James D. Taiclet, 59, as president and CEO, effective June 15. Taiclet will continue to serve as a member of the corporation’s board, which he joined in 2018. He has served as chairman, president and CEO of American Tower Corporation since 2004 and CEO since 2003. During that time, American Tower grew significantly and increased its market capitalization from approximately $2bn to approximately $100bn. Taiclet guided the company’s transformation from a primarily U.S. business to a global player in its industry, with significant assets and operations in 19 countries. Taiclet will succeed Marillyn A. Hewson, 66, who has served as chairman, president and CEO since 2014 and president and CEO since 2013. Hewson will become executive chairman of the board, also effective June 15, subject to her re-election to the board by the stockholders at the upcoming annual meeting.
“I know it is the right time to transition the leadership of Lockheed Martin. The corporation is strong, as evidenced by our outstanding financial results last year and a record backlog of business. We have a bright future – particularly with Jim and our outstanding leadership team at the helm,” said Hewson. “I’m pleased the board agreed with my recommendation. As Lockheed Martin’s next CEO, Jim will lead the company forward in its next phase of growth and value creation.”
Prior to joining American Tower in 2001, Taiclet was president of Honeywell Aerospace Services, a unit of Honeywell International, and prior to that was vice president, engine services at Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corporation. He was also previously a consultant at McKinsey & Company, specializing in telecommunications and aerospace strategy and operations. Taiclet began his career as a United States Air Force officer and pilot and served a tour of duty in the Gulf War. He holds a master’s degree in public affairs from Princeton University, where he was awarded a fellowship at the Woodrow Wilson School and is a distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with degrees in engineering and international relations.
“I’m honored to be asked to succeed one of the most respected CEOs in America. While serving on Lockheed Martin’s board, I’ve not only been impressed by the company’s continued growth as a leader in aerospace & defense but also by the dedication and commitment of Marillyn and Lockheed Martin employees to deliver for its customers,” said Taiclet. “As a military veteran, I understand the mission of this great company to provide global security and innovative solutions for the brave men and women who protect our freedom.”
Frank A. St. John, 53, the current executive vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) business, was elected by the board to serve as chief operating officer. Stephanie C. Hill, 55, senior vice president, Enterprise Business Transformation, was appointed to succeed St. John as executive vice president, RMS. Their appointments are also effective June 15.
Reporting to the new CEO and president, the COO will be responsible for the strategic, operational and financial performance of all the corporation’s lines of business. All four business area executive vice presidents – Aeronautics, Rotary and Mission Systems, Space and Missiles and Fire Control – will report to the COO. This includes the corporation’s entire portfolio of products and capabilities totaling almost $60bn in sales.
St. John joined Lockheed Martin more than 30 years ago and took on roles of increasing responsibility in engineering and program management before joining the corporation’s executive leadership team. Most recently, he has served as executive vice president of RMS and prior to that as executive vice president of Missiles and Fire Control.
Hill has served as senior vice president, Enterprise Business Transformation, where she led the corporation’s Digital Transformation and Enterprise Information Technology teams. Prior to that, Hill was deputy executive vice president of RMS and senior vice president for corporate strategy and business development. She held positions of increasing responsibility since joining Lockheed Martin in 1987 as a software engineer.
“Marillyn and the board have been focused on developing talent and ensuring a high-quality succession plan,” said Dan Akerson, Lockheed Martin’s lead director. “On behalf of the board and our shareholders, we would like to thank Marillyn for demonstrating a strong commitment to the customer, shaping the company’s portfolio to meet the challenges of today’s global security environment and growing the business and driving long-term sustainable growth.”
19 Mar 20. The National Armaments Consortium (NAC) today elected James F. Miller as its Executive Committee Chairman. Mr. Miller has been a leader at Dynetics for nearly 18 years, and he currently oversees all Dynetics OTA-related activities including consortia memberships, whitepaper and proposal development, business development, and compliance oversight. He has been a dedicated member of the NAC for 11 years and has been on the executive committee since 2017. In the last eight years, Dynetics has been awarded 58 initiatives through the NAC that has led to the development of sensors, warheads, fuzes, radars, software, simulations, cyber solutions and comprehensive weapon systems. (Source: PR Newswire)
16 Mar 20. Perspecta Inc. (NYSE: PRSP), a leading U.S. government services provider, announced today that its board has appointed Betty J. Sapp to the Perspecta Board of Directors effective May 1, 2020. Sapp retired as the director of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), a joint Department of Defense-Intelligence Community organization. She was the first woman to be named director of the NRO and served in this role from July 2012 through June 2019. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
18 Mar 20. NIOA adds Ben James to executive team. NIOA has announced the appointment of one of the Australian Army’s most experienced commanders to its executive team. Ben James, AM, DSM, who recently retired as Brigadier, will join the Queensland-owned defence prime in the newly created role of general manager – weapons and munitions. During his 32-year military career, James was an infantry platoon, company and battalion commander, and deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and East Timor.
His last role was Director General of Training and Doctrine, leading an Army-wide transformation as well as overseeing Exercise Hamel, the ADF’s biennial war readiness exercise involving the Army, Navy and Air Force.
The company is currently vying for the management of the LAND 159 Soldier Lethality Program, which will replace every weapon system for Australian soldiers over the next 10 years.
NIOA is one of the largest suppliers of non-guided munitions to the ADF. It recently took up tenancy at the Australian government-owned munitions factory at Benalla in Victoria and has formed a joint venture with Rheinmetall to produce 155mm artillery shells at a soon-to-be-built plant in Maryborough, Queensland. (Source: Defence Connect)
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ExFor+ CIC is a relatively new organisation but has been established with the objective of
becoming a National overarching organisation within the Veterans Support Sector. Our aim is to bring about, positive Social and Economic change for the country as well as a significant
transformation of how Service leavers, Veterans, their families and communities are supported. We will do this through effective collaboration, communication and management of a number of services and departments, ranging from engaging with Government, The Third sector and also the supporters of, those who’ve served and often sacrificed so much for their country. We are currently supporting a number of service leavers and veterans with a range of issues ranging from housing, unemployment, benefits, personal development, education, and are constantly looking for employers who see the positives in recruiting and supporting individuals in to work to create longterm and sustainable futures.
www.InvestorsInVeterans.com
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