LOCATIONS
LAND
16 Jul 20. Aero Precision/Kellstrom Defense to Open Operations in Greenville, South Carolina. Aero Precision/Kellstrom Defense is excited to announce they have signed a lease on a new facility in Greenville, South Carolina. This strategic new location will allow the company to continue to grow globally and support projects within the surrounding areas.
This new location will be a hub for inventory and industry leading sustainment initiatives. Aero Precision/Kellstrom Defense is partnering with the Greenville Area Development Corporation in the creation of highly skilled manufacturing jobs over the next coming years. The expansion of their Engineered Products division to Greenville will provide the additional opportunity to provide value added solutions and world class customer support for existing and new customers in the region. The site will officially open its doors in late September 2020.
“It’s always good news any time a company decides to invest in South Carolina and shows a commitment to our state. Aero Precision/Kellstrom Defense’s decision to choose the Palmetto State is a testament to our competitive business environment and our world-class workforce that has made a name for itself as one of the best” said Gov. Henry McMaster.
“Today’s announcement by Aero Precision/Kellstrom Defense is proof that South Carolina’s aerospace industry continues to soar. Congratulations to Aero Precision/Kellstrom Defense on their new operations, and I look forward to seeing the impact the growing aerospace sector will have on our state” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.
“We are extremely excited to expand our manufacturing footprint into the Greenville, South Carolina market manufacturing cluster. We recognized an opportunity to grow our relationships in the region and build upon our foundation. The state has welcomed us with open arms, we very much look forward to the growth of our organization attributed to our strategic footprint in Greenville” said Tony Grant, Vice President of Business Integration at Aero Precision/Kellstrom Defense.
16 Jul 20. Appledore Deal ‘Great News For The Community’ – GMB. We have all been on tenterhooks waiting for something to happen says GMB shipbuilder GMB, the shipbuilding union, says early indications of a deal to re-open Appledore shipyard, mothballed for 16 months, would be great news for the community.
Although details are scarce, it is understood a deal in principle has now finally been struck for Appledore Shipyard in North Devon – although it is not yet clear which consortium has been successful.
There will now be a 60-day grace period while final terms are settled.
Ross Murdoch, GMB National Officer and CSEU National Chair, said:
“GMB and sister CSEU trade unions have worked round the clock to make sure this famous shipyard was not consigned to the scrapheap.
“But UK shipbuilding is still on the brink. The Tories must stop their ridiculous plan to build the next wave of Royal Navy support ships overseas and let them be built in UK yards instead.”
Jake Mclean, Appledore Shipbuilder, said:
“All the shipyard workers and their families have all been on tenterhooks waiting for something to happen.
“This is great news for the whole community, who have had a torrid time of late.”
“We cannot wait to get back to building ships again.”
15 Jul 20. New innovation precinct unveiled for Tasmania. The government has signed off an expansion for the Australian Maritime College in Launceston, Tasmania. The facility, known as the Defence and Maritime Innovation and Design Precinct, is tipped to create hundreds of jobs at the local level.
Long considered a hub for maritime engineering and innovation, Launceston will gain a facility aimed at drawing together academics from across the country to develop maritime-specific solutions. The three-year program will expand the current capability of the Australian Maritime College (AMC), located at UTAS’ Newnham campus, which has supported Defence training and personnel since its establishment.
AMC offers formal training in a number of civilian and defence areas, including:
- Maritime engineering and hydrodynamics;
- Maritime business and international logistics;
- Ocean seafaring; and
- Coastal seafaring and VET courses.
As well as expanding AMC’s capacity, the precinct will also act in direct support of Defence Science and Technology, as well as to produce a broad range of science and technology capabilities.
Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds put the number of jobs created in the hundreds, adding that the agreement delivers on a “key election commitment for Tasmania”.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said it is critical to “harness the skills, talents and expertise of the entire innovation network to deliver the best possible outcomes for Defence and Australia more broadly”.
“This development will help preserve the AMC’s role as our national maritime institute, ensuring the needs of both civil and Defence maritime industrial sectors are served,” Minister Price said.
Federal member for Bass, Bridget Archer, provided detail on the employment benefits conferred by the partnership.
“This will create nearly 60 local jobs during the construction program, and it’s estimated the initiative will create over 150 new jobs in the region each year,” Archer said.
“It’s great news for our local economy, and will drive defence-related research and development projects from right here in Launceston.” (Source: Defence Connect)
MARITIME
16 Jul 20. US Navy commissions America-class LHA USS Tripoli into fleet. The US Navy has commissioned its America-class amphibious assault ship, USS Tripoli (LHA 7), into the fleet.
The commemoration of the vessel’s traditional public commissioning was cancelled as per the public health and safety restrictions in the wake of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
US Navy secretary Kenneth J Braithwaite said: “USS Tripoli is proof of what the teamwork of all of our people, civilian, contractor and military, can accomplish together.
“This ship will extend the manoeuvrability and lethality of our fleet to confront the many challenges of a complex world, from maintaining the sea lanes to countering instability to maintaining our edge in this era of renewed great power competition.”
USS Tripoli will soon be integrated into the future air combat element of the Marine Corps, including the Joint Strike Fighter.
LHA 7 has an enlarged hangar deck and expanded aviation maintenance facilities that provide the fleet with an aviation-centric platform.
USS Tripoli’s design also features increased stowage space for parts and support equipment, as well as an expanded aviation fuel capacity.
The 844ft-long vessel is equipped with a gas turbine propulsion plant, zonal electrical distribution, and a fuel-efficient electric auxiliary propulsion systems.
It has a displacement of approximately 44,000t, with the ability to operate at speeds of over 20k.
In March this year, Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division delivered USS Tripoli to the US Navy.
USS Tripoli commanding officer captain Kevin Myers said: “Being the third ship to bear the Tripoli namesake is a profound honour and this crew stands ready to carry on the legacy of our longstanding navy and Marine Corps amphibious community.
“What’s remarkable is seeing the dedication, perseverance and resilience these new plank owners have shown since day one, and more recently, through uncertain times as the navy and nation work through a pandemic.” (Source: naval-technology.com)
AIR
14 Jul 20. The United States government has delivered the first Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey to Camp Kisarazu on July 10. The Osprey is built by Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and Boeing [NYSE: BA]. The Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) is the first operator of the V-22 outside of the U.S. military.
“Congratulations to Japan on becoming the first international operator of the Osprey,” said Kurt Fuller, Bell Boeing Program Director. “The delivery of the Japanese V-22 represents a milestone for revolutionary aircraft capabilities for the Government of Japan and is a testament to our enduring friendship. The Osprey will provide Japan a tremendous advantage, unlike ever before, to respond to a broad range of challenges throughout the Asia Pacific region.”
The V-22 can conduct multiple missions not possible with traditional rotorcraft or fixed-wing aircraft alone, improving mission efficiency and reducing logistic costs. The marinized design resists corrosion and reduces the cost of long-term sustainability. The Japanese V-22 has a unique configuration with a Japanese-specific communication system. Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF?) service members have been training with U.S. Marines since May to gain aircraft proficiency before delivery of the aircraft.
“This is an exciting moment in our partnership with the JGSDF; we have had the pleasure of working with them state-side to produce, develop, train and maintain their initial fleet of aircraft,” said Marine Corps Col. Matthew Kelly, program manager for the V-22 Joint Program Office (PMA-275). “This arrival marks a key step in standing up its V-22 fleet, and more importantly, the continued collaboration between our nations. ”
The United States Department of Defense currently operates three versions of the V-22. The U.S. Marine Corps MV-22, The U.S. Air Force CV-22, and the U.S. Navy CMV-22. These aircraft support the United States military with multi-mission capabilities, including the transportation of personnel, supplies, and equipment, combat assault and support, long-range personnel recovery, and combat search and rescue. With more than 500,000 flight hours, the V-22 is one of the most in-demand platforms providing safe, survivable, combat-proven mission success possible with the range, speed and versatility of the Osprey.
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
16 Jul 20. Israel combines special forces into new Air force unit. Israel is combining the capabilities of several elite units under one roof as part of its multiyear plan to prepare the military for future warfare.
Israel announced the creation of the 7th Wing under the Israeli Air Force earlier this month. The move is part of a larger reorganization effort, known as Momentum, for the Israel Defense Forces. The effort foresees more combinations of units, pushing intelligence and digitization to front-line forces and using fifth-generation F-35 fighter jets, future combat vehicles and air defense capabilities.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin said Israel is facing an era of regional change amid the coronavirus pandemic, what Israel calls “third circle” threats from Iran, and continued operations to prevent Iranian arms trafficking to Hezbollah.
In recent years, Israel has been concentrating many of its efforts against threats from the north, including Hezbollah and Iranian entrenchment in Syria during the course of the Syrian civil war. Israel fought three conflicts in Gaza with Hamas between 2009 and 2014, but relations are less tense.
This is a “battlefield that is becoming more complex every day. This change has been understood by the commanders. This is the change that requires us to adapt ourselves and to prepare better for the future challenges,” Norkin said.
The Air Force commander said at a July 12 ceremony that the 7th Wing will have an enhanced capability that will make special forces more effective during combat, more influential in terms of air superiority, and part of any process or scenario that takes place under the purview of the Air Force.
The 7th Wing will include Air Force special ground units; the commando Shaldag unit; Unit 669, which performs search and rescue operations with helicopters; the Forward Landing Unit; and a dedicated intelligence unit.
The Forward Landing Unit is responsible for building ad hoc runways. This gives the new wing a variety of capabilities to operate in hostile territory with a plethora of assets including helicopters, vehicles, and Hercules C-130HI and Super Hercules C-130s aircraft, which can land at the ad hoc bases from their home at the Nevatim Air Force base. Unit 669 uses Black Hawk and Sikorsky CH-53 helicopters.
A colonel will command the 7th Wing, but the IDF did not release the officer’s name due to security reasons, calling him only “Col. O.”
Israel also plans to establish a new school for these elite combat troops.
The concept, according to the IDF, is to streamline and organize these disparate units whose only commonalty is their unique differences within the larger Air Force. Most of them perform duties that are corollaries to the Air Force’s main role, using small vehicles, building landing strips, or performing raids and rescues. The IDF says this new wing will perform its operations during routine and emergency scenarios.
It is one of several new concepts in the IDF that foresee concentrating capabilities into new command structures. For instance, Momentum also created a headquarters dedicated to the Iranian threat. As part of Momentum, a tank battalion and a squadron of F-16 jets will be disestablished. Also under the reorganization, a new squadron of F-35s came online in January. (Source: Defense News)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
13 Jul 20. Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper announced today that Michael J.K. Kratsios had been designated to serve as Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, effective July 10, 2020.
“In seeking to fill this position we wanted someone with experience in identifying and developing new technologies and working closely with a wide range of industry partners,” said Secretary Esper. “We think Michael is the right person for this job and we are excited to have him on the team.”
Mr. Kratsios is the Chief Technology Officer of the United States and has led the development and execution of the Administration’s national technology policy agenda since 2017. Under his leadership, the White House has launched important National initiatives and strategic plans for artificial intelligence, quantum computing, autonomous vehicles, commercial drones, STEM education, and advanced manufacturing. He has been integral in the President’s efforts to expand 5G and broadband communications nationwide.
Mr. Kratsios is responsible for architecting the American AI Initiative, standing up the National Quantum Coordination Office, and, most recently, launching of the COVID-19 High Performance Computing Consortium. Mr. Kratsios has represented the United States in multiple international fora, leading U.S. delegations at the G7, G20, and OECD.
In August 2019, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Mr. Kratsios as the fourth Chief Technology Officer of the United States.
Dr. Mark Lewis will serve as the Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. He will also remain in his current role as Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Modernization.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. Kathleen M. Creighton will be assigned as director, information warfare integration, N2/N6F, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Creighton is currently serving as Navy Cyber Security Division director, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. John V. Fuller will be assigned as deputy director for force protection, J-8, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. Fuller is currently serving as director, J-5, U.S. Northern Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. James E. Pitts will be assigned as director, warfare integration, N9I, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Pitts is currently serving as commander, Submarine Group Seven; commander, Task Force Seven Four; and commander, Task Force Five Four, Yokosuka, Japan.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. (lower half) Douglas W. Small, selected for promotion to rear admiral, will be assigned as commander, Naval Information Warfare Systems Command, San Diego, California. Small is currently serving as program executive officer for integrated warfare systems, Washington, D.C.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. (lower half) William E. Chase III will be assigned as senior military advisor for cyber policy to the under secretary of defense for policy, and deputy principal cyber advisor to the secretary of defense, Washington, D.C. Chase is currently serving as deputy director, command, control, communications, and computers/cyber, J-6, Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. (lower half) Leonard C. Dollaga will be assigned as commander, Submarine Group Seven; commander, Task Force Seven Four; and commander, Task Force Five Four, Yokosuka, Japan. Dollaga previously served as commander, Undersea Warfighting Development Center, Groton, Connecticut.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. (lower half) Thomas M. Henderschedt is assigned as senior defense official/defense attaché, China. Henderschedt previously served as naval attaché, U.S. Defense Attaché Office, Beijing, China.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. (lower half) Nicholas M. Homan will be assigned as director of intelligence, J-2, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Homan previously served as deputy, deputy chief of staff, intelligence, Resolute Support; and deputy director, J2, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. (lower half) Matthew N. Ott III will be assigned as executive director, operational contract support, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Washington, D.C. Ott is currently serving as special assistant for audit readiness, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Financial Management and Comptroller), Washington, D.C.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. (lower half) William P. Pennington will be assigned as commander, Task Force Seven Zero; and commander, Carrier Strike Group Five, Yokosuka, Japan. Pennington previously served as special assistant to the deputy chief of naval operations for operations, plans and strategy, N3/N5, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. (lower half) Jeffrey S. Scheidt will be assigned as deputy chief, computer network operations, National Security Agency, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence, Washington, D.C. Scheidt is currently serving as commander, Naval Information Warfighting Development Center, Norfolk, Virginia.
13 Jul 20. Rear Adm. (lower half) Philip W. Yu will be assigned as U.S. senior defense official/defense attaché, Russia, Moscow, Russia. Yu previously served as China branch chief, N5I1, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
14 Jul 20. University of Adelaide to boost defence research capacity. The University of Adelaide has announced the appointment of Joanne Wallis as professor of international security, as part of its plans to enhance its capability in security related research, and contribute additional expertise to major defence projects in the national interest. Professor Wallis recently received a Department of Defence Strategic Policy Grant to analyse how Australia can work with the US, Japan and New Zealand in the Pacific islands to form a networked security architecture that can share the strategic burden and remain resilient in the face of geopolitical and domestic challenges. Professor Wallis is recognised as a leading academic voice in the Australian strategic and foreign affairs policy community and the chief investigator on two ARC Discovery Projects analysing Australian interventions in the Pacific islands and the operation of the Australia-New Zealand alliance. (Source: Defence Connect)
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
16 Jul 20. ST Engineering in joint venture with Israel defence powerhouse. A unit of Singapore Technologies Engineering is setting up a joint-venture here with state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI). ST Engineering and IAI, one of Israel’s three major aerospace and defence companies, will each have a half stake in the new venture. It will market and sell advanced naval missiles.
ST Engineering said it does not expect a material impact on its consolidated net tangible assets per share and earnings per share from the set-up of the venture.
Separately, it was reported this week that aerospace companies here are repositioning themselves for the long road to recovery amid the pandemic.
ST Engineering said its aerospace sector has seen demand fall for both the maintenance, repair and overhaul, as well as its original equipment manufacturing businesses, although the impact is mitigated by a diverse customer base and broad service offerings. (Source: Google/https://www.straitstimes.com/)
15 Jul 20. REDARC Defence Systems has entered into a partnership with Abaco Systems. The partnership will allow both companies to further align with the needs of the growing Australian defence sector for rugged embedded computing applications. Abaco’s head office is based in Huntsville, Alabama. They provide advanced rugged embedded computing solutions and are known for open architecture computing and electronic systems for aerospace, defence, and industrial applications.
REDARC Defence Systems (REDARC), based in SA was formed in 2019 from REDARC Electronics to service the growing Australian and global defence markets.
The decision to move forward with a strategic partnership came after introductions were made by Team Defence Australia at Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI 2019). REDARC and Abaco have since positioned the partnership to align with Australian government requirements and drive Australian sales in major defence programs leveraging the Abaco global sales team.
REDARC and Abaco Systems will collaborate on multiple emerging Australian opportunities, including Land 400, Air 6500, Plan Jericho, Loyal Wingman and others.
Both teams say they have ‘complimentary capabilities in rugged embedded hardware manufacturing, integration, global supply chain, and logistics, along with deep expertise in Australian industries.’
“This optimum mix of portfolio and capabilities will enable modernisation of Australian defence programs across all domains, while positioning for emerging technologies and programs such as hypersonics, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and directed energy.”
“The partnership with Abaco Systems is the next step for REDARC being able to offer ruggedised embedded computing application capabilities in Australia for our local defence customers,” Anthony Kittel, Managing Director REDARC said. “A real benefit is that this relationship is mutual with REDARC drawing on Abaco’s expertise to secure contracts on Australian programs and Abaco using REDARC’s advanced manufacturing and supply chain to broaden its capabilities in Australia.” (Source: Google/https://www.australiandefence.com.au/)
14 Jul 20. AAR continues successful Unison Industries partnership with re-selection as exclusive distributor. Agreement valued at more than $1bn over 11-year period. AAR (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators worldwide, and Unison Industries jointly announced today the expansion and extension of the longstanding partnership as the exclusive worldwide aftermarket distributor for Unison Industries´ aviation, aerospace, military, civil and land vehicles products. The agreement adds new material content to include new product introduction spanning multiple aircraft platforms.
As exclusive distributor, AAR will be responsible for developing customized sales strategies and marketing campaigns, executing growth plans, forecasting, warehousing and performing aftermarket product distribution services of Unison Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts. In addition, AAR will provide 24/7 Aircraft-On-Ground (AOG) call center support to deliver rapid-response services to customers using Unison products in the aviation aftermarket.
Components covered by the program include turbine ignition systems, engine-dedicated alternators, sensors, switches, wiring harnesses, bellows and metal tubing/ducting consumed by commercial and military aircraft operators, maintenance repair and overhaul facilities and other industry customers, worldwide. The agreement also includes repair services management backed by AAR’s supply chain and customer support network.
“We are very excited to expand our longstanding partnership with Unison Industries and to continue supporting our aftermarket customers,” said Eric Young, AAR Senior Vice President of OEM Solutions. “We look forward to continuing our pivotal partnership role, serving as a value-add salesforce multiplier for Unison and proactively driving strategic initiatives.”
Tom Hoferer, President of Unison Industries said, “Extending the Unison business relationship with AAR is of vital strategic importance to the Unison business. Expanding our agreement another 11 years with additional content speaks to the value we place on AAR and the value they bring to our customers. Executing a contract extension in these challenging times speaks to the deep partnership we have, and will continue to grow, with AAR.”
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
01 Jul 20. Chess Dynamics welcomed Doug Knifton as its new Operations Director on 1st July 2020. Doug has over 27 years of experience within operations with the last 10 years of career to date in Senior Management Roles within companies such as Thermo Fisher Scientific, Elekta, Turbo Power Systems and Powerlase. With experience in technology lead, capital equipment operations including semi-conductor, laser optics, medical devices and analytical instruments, Doug’s knowledge spans both innovative technologies and laser applications. In his new role at Chess, Doug will be responsible for the leadership of the Operations function including Quality Assurance, Export Compliance, Production, Security & HSE, Test Engineering, Production Control and Supply Chain. Graham Beall, Group CEO at Chess Dynamics said “I am very pleased to have Doug onboard as we continue to strategically grow our business and build up a strong management team to achieve our goals over the next few years.”
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
14 Jul 20. AAR (NYSE: AIR) announced today that Robert F. Leduc, retired President of Pratt & Whitney, has been elected to the Company’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. The addition of Mr. Leduc increases the size of the Board from 12 to 13 directors. Mr. Leduc, 64, recently retired as president of Pratt & Whitney, a role he held since January 2016. Previously he served in a number of senior executive roles for more than 38 years at United Technologies Corporation, including president of Sikorsky Aircraft. He began his career in aerospace engineering at Pratt & Whitney, holding roles of increasing leadership responsibility in program management, strategy and customer support before being named Senior Vice President, Engine Programs & Customer Support in 1995. In 2000, he was appointed President of Large Commercial Engines and Chief Operating Officer. He is a member of the board of the Connecticut Science Center, and he established the Robert and Jeanne Leduc Center for Civic Engagement at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He earned a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth) and an honorary doctorate in business from the University of Massachusetts.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
14 Jul 20. MDA announced today the appointment of Maria Perrella as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Martin J. Herman as General Counsel & Vice President, Legal, both of whom will join MDA’s executive leadership team, effective immediately. Mr. Greenley also noted that these two executives, along with Tim Kopra, Vice President, Robotics and Space Operations, who joined MDA in early June, were recruited, hired and onboarded virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. “This speaks to our ability to continue moving forward, making critical decisions and ensuring that the business continues to meet our customers’ expectations, even through these difficult times,” Mr. Greenley noted. (Source: PR Newswire)
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