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13 Aug 20. Rolls-Royce and DPA office to invest in naval facility upgrade. Rolls-Royce and the Defense Production Act Title III office have announced investment plans to increase the ability and capacity of the company to manufacture propulsion components for US Naval ships. The investment will go to Rolls-Royce’s Pascagoula facility in Mississippi, US.
The agreement means the DPA Title III office will invest $22m in equipment while Rolls-Royce will provide additional investment to improve the building, with support from Jackson County and Mississippi.
Rolls-Royce Naval Operations head Daniel Rediger said: “This community partnership between the Defense Production Act Title III organisation and Rolls-Royce, along with Mississippi and Jackson County officials, is a major success for all involved.
“Rolls-Royce will improve our capability to serve navy shipbuilding. The navy will benefit from our added capacity, and Jackson County will add new highly skilled jobs and a secure future for the local industry.
“We also want to recognise the NAVSEA Shipbuilding Industrial Base Task Force for their support through the DPA Title III process, and for recognising what a vital role we play in the shipbuilding supply chain.”
The Pascagoula facility is said to be the ‘centre of excellence’ at Rolls-Royce, and this new investment will increase the company’s ability to manufacture propeller and propulsor components for naval ships.
Rolls-Royce will construct a new 26,000ft² building, and funds from DPA Title III will provide new foundry and machining equipment to aid the growth of new jobs and the workforce.
The company manufactures naval components at the Pascagoula facility, including controllable-pitch propeller systems, fixed pitch propellers, and water jets.
These components are said to power most of the US Navy ships, including aircraft carriers, destroyers, and other ships.
In June, Rolls-Royce secured multiple contracts worth $115.6m from the US Navy to provide ship engines, propulsion components, and services. (Source: naval-technology.com)
12 Aug 20. Abaco Announces Expansion of Austin, Texas Innovation Center. Abaco Systems today announced plans to grow the company’s presence in Austin, Texas, the home of its DSP Innovation Center. This expansion follows Abaco’s February move to new headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama and is further evidence of the company’s investment in innovation and continued growth.
This significant expansion sees the facility grow almost 50% to over 16,000 square feet, and comes as a result of rapid growth in demand for Abaco’s digital signal processing solutions that are designed for advanced electronic warfare applications.
The additional space, which opened in July, will enable the expansion of the engineering facilities at the DSP Innovation Center. Not only will it receive substantial technical upgrades and additional laboratory facilities, but it will also benefit from re-equipping of the entire new workspace. This will provide a more ergonomic environment that will facilitate the collaboration that is at the heart of Abaco’s innovation.
Abaco is actively recruiting engineers, the addition of whom will see the current site headcount increase by more than 50% over the coming 18 months to more than 65 employees.
The expansion follows the announcement in February of Abaco’s move to new headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama in response to continuing growth across the company’s business.
“Austin has an outstanding reputation as being a great place for leading edge technology companies to do business, and that makes it a perfect fit for our company – not least because of the access it gives us to the country’s most talented engineers,” said Rich Sorelle, President and CEO of Abaco. “This expansion of our DSP Innovation Center, in terms of both space and people, will allow us to continue to develop the innovative, pioneering computing solutions that enable our customers to provide our warfighters with a vital competitive edge.”
Abaco’s five Innovation Centers are at the heart of the company’s success. The team in Austin is responsible for the development of leading edge solutions based on advanced technologies including DSP, FPGA, and RFSoC. Innovative products designed and manufactured on site include the VP430 and the VP460.
The Austin facility also provides the in-depth technical support customers sometimes require – all the way from design through development through optimization through deployment.
The VP430 Direct RF Processing System, which was the first 3U VPX COTS solution to feature the all new Xilinx® ZU27DR RF system-on-chip (RFSoC) technology, is also one of the densest analog FPGA DSP boards available, with eight ADC and DAC synchronized channels. It features the ability to synchronize multiple boards for even larger system applications.
The success of the VP430 led to the announcement of its 6U VPX counterpart, the VP460 Direct RF Processing System, which is aligned with the SOSA™ standard designed to deliver the cost-effective interoperability required by the US Air Force, Army, and Navy.
Austin has long been home to some of the highest profile technology organizations. In the defense industry that Abaco primarily serves, BAE Systems, Boeing and Northrop Grumman have facilities in the city. The growing tech city also drew interest from the U.S. Army, who chose Austin for the headquarters of Futures Command, which is aimed at modernizing military weapons, combat vehicles, and more.
Texas is one of the top states in the U.S. for aerospace and defense manufacturing. (Source: PR Newswire)
11 Aug 20. Coalition Task Force Sentinel moves to new headquarters. The multi-national, British Royal Navy-led Coalition Task Force (CTF) Sentinel has formally shifted to new operational headquarters (HQ) in Bahrain. CTF Sentinel was established last year and has been operating from two large air-conditioned tents for the first nine months.
It will now operate from facilities at the US Naval Base in Bahrain.
The Royal Navy stated that the new and improved operations centre will enhance information flow and ensure increased coordination in merchant shipping tracking in major waterways in the Gulf.
CTF Sentinel offers additional safety and peace to tankers and cargo ships during increased tensions in the region.
The International Maritime Security Construct is a partnership of the UK, Australia, Albania, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Lithuania, the UAE and the US.
All eight countries have stated their commitment to work together to ensure safe shipping.
They provide personnel or military resources for the Sentinel Task Force, including ships, patrol vessels and aircraft.
US Fifth Fleet commander and Gulf region senior coalition naval officer vice-admiral Jim Malloy said: “This coalition fulfils a much-needed role. Its watchwords of ‘vigilance, surveillance, and assurance’ tell you exactly what CTF Sentinel is about and why the task force plays such a key role in the region.
“They are providing the much-needed collective eyes and ears to some of the world’s most congested, contested waters.”
HMS Montrose is currently deployed to the Gulf region together with HMS Argyll, which is on a regular Middle East deployment. (Source: naval-technology.com)
10 Aug 20. Tokyo to build JSDF base on Mage Island. The Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD) has revealed plans to build a Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) base, as well as a training site for US carrier-based aircraft on Mage Island off Kagoshima Prefecture. The new base, where between 150 and 200 JSDF personnel are set to be stationed, will enable field carrier landing practice (FCLP) for the US Navy (USN) once or twice a year, the MoD announced on 7 August. The JSDF will use the new base to practise take-offs and landings with its future shipborne F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters, as well as to carry out drills with several other aircraft, including its recently acquired MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft. The base will have two runways, a fuel facility, an ammunition storage, a hangar, and several ports, according to the MoD. Japanese media have reported that the two runways will be about 2,450m and 1,830m long, respectively. (Source: Jane’s)
MARITIME
13 Aug 20. First Supply-class AOR for Royal Australian Navy completes sea trials. The first of two Supply-class auxiliary oiler replenishment (AOR) ships on order for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has completed sea acceptance trails, Spanish shipbuilder Navantia announced in a tweet on 10 August. The company also tweeted that the 19,500-tonne vessel, which will be known as HMAS Supply (II) (with pennant number A195) once commissioned, will be sailing later this month from the company’s facilities in the Spanish coastal city of Ferrol to Australia for her “Australian fit-out”.
The vessel, which is expected to enter service later this year, is one of two ships of the class ordered as part of an AUD642m (USD460m) contract signed in May 2016 under Australia’s Project Sea 1654 Phase 3 Maritime Operational Support Capability programme.
Second-of-class Stalwart (III) (with pennant number A304) was launched on 30 August, and is expected to join the RAN in 2022.
The 173.9 m-long ships, which are based on the Spanish Navy’s Cantabria-class AORs, are to replace the AOR ship HMAS Success (II), which was decommissioned on 29 June after 33 years of service, and the supply ship HMAS Sirius. The two new AOR ships are intended to carry fuel, dry cargo, water, food, ammunition, equipment, and spare parts to provide operational support for the deployed naval or combat forces operating on the high seas for longer periods. (Source: Jane’s)
07 Aug 20. Portuguese frigate to host German helicopter detachment. The Portuguese Navy’s Vasco da Gama-class (MEKO 200PN) frigate NRP Corte-Real (F 332) is scheduled to host a helicopter detachment of the German Navy between 10 November and 3 December. A technical agreement between the two NATO navies is expected to be signed imminently to formalise the collaboration, a Portuguese Navy spokesperson told Janes. This will be the first time a Portuguese frigate has hosted a foreign helicopter detachment and will further increase interoperability and joint operations between the two navies, the spokesperson said. The German Navy contribution will comprise a Sea Lynx Mk88A helicopter from the Marinefliegergeschwader 5 (MFG 5) naval aviation wing located at Nordholz Naval Airbase in Germany, as well as 17 staff, including one of the two Portuguese Navy helicopter pilots currently serving at MFG 5. Preparations to embark the German detachment began in mid-2019 with talks between the countries’ ministries of defence (MoDs) and navies and technical visits to the boat. The Portuguese ship will take the flagship role of Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 (SNMG1) between 30 July 2020 and 9 January 2021 for missions over the Baltic Sea, North Sea, and the North Atlantic Sea. (Source: Jane’s)
10 Aug 20. Royal Navy to deploy HMS Enterprise to Beirut. UK Royal Navy survey vessel HMS Enterprise is deploying to Beirut to survey the damage to the city’s port after Tuesday’s massive explosion which claimed the lives of over 130 people and left at least 5,000 others injured.
The deployment of the survey vessel is part of a wider response effort from the British military being made available by the UK Government, along with a package of civilian support including £5m worth of aid.
HMS Enterprise will assess the damage done to the port by the massive explosion and help it return to normal operations as soon as possible. The majority of Lebanon’s imports come in through the port of Beirut and it is vital to its economic stability.
HMS Enterprise is currently docked at Limassol, Cyprus, while Lebanese and UK authorities work out when will be best for the deployment of the ship. Deployment of the ship was agreed at the request of the Lebanese government.
Commenting on the deployment, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “At the request of the Lebanese Government I have authorised the sending of HMS Enterprise to help survey the Port of Beirut, assessing the damage and supporting Lebanon rebuild this vital piece of national infrastructure.
“We have a close and enduring friendship with the Lebanese people, our military is ready to support them in their time of need.”
The UK Armed Forces have sent a team to the UK Embassy in Beirut to help identify further areas of support and to coordinate UK aid. The UK has also offered “tailored medical support, military air transport assistance and engineering and communications capabilities.”
What is HMS Enterprise?
HMS Enterprise is an Echo-class multi-role survey vessel – hydrographic oceanographic (SVHO). Enterprise is used to map the ocean floor but can also be used as a base for the Royal Navy’s minehunting operations.
Enterprise is one of two Echo-class ships and entered into service in 2003, where she was first deployed to the Mediterranean. In 2007, Enterprise was deployed to West Africa, and later the Persian Gulf where the ship operated off the coast of Iraq.
HMS Enterprise carries a Survey Motor Boat (SMB), named Spitfire, which can be used to enter the damaged port and survey the undersea environment. While Enterprise awaits orders to move to Lebanon the SMB is being calibrated and prepared for use.
HMS Enterprise carries a crew of 48 highly trained sailors, who’s surveys of the port area will be vital in rebuilding the port. (Source: naval-technology.com)
07 Aug 20. Carrier Kennedy nearly three-quarters complete as single-phase delivery negotiations continue. The Newport News Shipbuilding unit of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has completed about 74% of Ford-class aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), HII CEO Mike Petters confirmed on 6 August. “The team remains focused on compartment completion and completion of our single-phase delivery proposal for submission to the navy,” Petters told investment analysts during HII’s quarterly earnings call. Work continues apace on the ship, he noted despite workforce disruptions due to the impacts of Covid-19 and the yard’s mitigation efforts to prevent infection. Construction hotwork was temporarily halted aboard the carrier following a 20 July fire as a general safety measure meant to ensure the US Navy (USN) and shipyard have all the right protocols in place, James Geurts, assistant secretary of the navy for research, development and acquisition, told reporters on 30 July during a telephone press conference.
Hotwork resumed on the ship on 22 July, HII confirmed to Janes on 5 August. As the yard continues to build and install compartments and other systems on the ship, HII is still negotiating the single-phase delivery of the ship. The USN had initially contracted for a dual-phase Kennedy delivery – the first phase being the hull and associated systems, followed by the second delivery of combat systems and other equipment. “There are a lot of moving parts right now,” Chris Kastner, HII executive vice president and chief financial officer, said during the 6 August quarterly earnings call. (Source: Jane’s)
08 Aug 20. US Navy Commissions Littoral Combat Ship St. Louis. The U.S. Navy commissioned Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS St. Louis (LCS 19), Aug. 8. Due to public health safety concerns and restrictions of large public gatherings related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Navy commissioned St. Louis at a private event.
“Nearly 200 years after the first ship to bear the name was launched, today we commission the seventh USS St. Louis,” said Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite. “Much like that sloop of war did in 1828, LCS-19 and her crew will protect the U.S. and our interests near and abroad. Whether conducting counter-narcotic operations in the Caribbean or working to enhance interoperability with partners and allies at sea, USS St. Louis will provide maneuverability, stability and lethality in today’s era of Great Power Competition.”
Rear Adm. Brad Cooper II, commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic, welcomed the ship that brings capabilities to counter diesel submarine, mines, and fast surface craft threats to the world’s premier surface force.
“St. Louis brings speed and agility to the fleet,” said Cooper. “Congratulations to St. Louis’ captain and crew for all of your hard work to reach this milestone. You join a proud Surface Force that controls the seas and provides the nation with naval combat power when and where needed.”
Barbara Broadhurst Taylor, the ship’s sponsor, offered congratulations to everyone who played a role in delivering USS St. Louis to service.
“To witness the skill and commitment of the officers and crew of USS ST LOUIS as they brought our magnificent ship to life has been one of the greatest honors of my life. All of us in the great city of St. Louis are proud to be part of our ship’s historic legacy, and extend our appreciation and lasting friendship to the crew and their families,” Taylor said. “Your patriotism and dedication to preserving peace and freedom inspires us. May God bless our ship and all who sail her.”
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Energy, Installations, and Environment Charles Williams expressed gratitude to the ships sponsor for their commitment to the Navy. “I want to express the Navy’s deep appreciation to the Taylor family. Much of what they do is anonymous but believe me when I say they are the preeminent philanthropic family of the St. Louis community and a donor to Navy causes,” said Williams
St. Louis’ commanding officer, Cmdr. Kevin Hagan, reported the ship ready.
“I’m incredibly proud of the work the crew of St. Louis put in to get this ship ready to sail. I am absolutely honored to lead this crew through all of the trials required of a brand new ship in the fleet,” said Hagan. “Their perseverance and dedication will set the foundation for our crew and for all future crews that will call USS St. Louis their home.”
St. Louis is the 22nd LCS to be delivered to the Navy, and the tenth of the Freedom-variant to join the fleet and is the seventh ship to bear the name. The first St. Louis, a sloop of war, was launched in 1828. It spent the majority of its service patrolling the coasts of the Americas to secure interests and trade. In addition, it served as the flagship for the West Indies Squadron working to suppress piracy in the Caribbean Sea, the Antilles and the Gulf of Mexico region.
The littoral combat ship is a fast, agile and networked surface combatant, and the primary mission for the LCS includes countering diesel submarine threats, littoral mine threats and surface threats to assure maritime access for joint forces. The underlying strength of the LCS lies in its innovative design approach, applying modularity for operational flexibility. Fundamental to this approach is the capability to rapidly install interchangeable mission packages (MPs) onto the seaframe to fulfill a specific mission and then be uninstalled, maintained and upgraded at the Mission Package Support Facility (MPSF) for future use aboard any LCS seaframe.
LCS may also pair with the MH-60R advanced maritime helicopter giving it a robust anti-submarine mission capability that is fully interoperable with the U.S. Navy and its coalition partners. Primary missions of the MH-60R include anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance, communications relay, combat search and rescue, naval gunfire support and logistics support. (Source: US DoD)
AIR
12 Aug 20. UK deploys A400M on counter-migrant mission. A UK Royal Air Force (RAF) A400M transport was re-roled to fly a surveillance mission over the Strait of Dover on 10 August in response to attempts by migrants to cross the English Channel in inflatable boats. The mission was the first by RAF aircraft to monitor the Channel during the ongoing UK government campaign to counter migrant movements from France. It was launched after UK defence secretary Ben Wallace approved a request from the UK Home Office [interior ministry] for military assistance. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on its website on 11 August that the aircraft would “provide surveillance and intelligence, feeding information directly to the UK Coastguard and Border Force, which will facilitate the quicker interception of boats”.
“The deployment of the A400M Atlas permits surveillance to be carried out with a greater field of vision over a wider area,” the ministry said. “It therefore represented the most effective use of available resources. This constitutes the MoD’s initial offer of support to the Home Office, and further work is being carried out to determine who the MOD can further assist in the Channel”. The mission was flown from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, the home base of the RAF A400M fleet. (Source: Jane’s)
11 Aug 20. India operationally deploys two LCH prototypes near disputed border with China. India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has deployed two Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) prototypes in support of Indian Air Force (IAF) operations in the country’s Himalayan region of Ladakh near the Line of Actual Control (LoAC) where the Indian and Chinese armies have been locked in a standoff since early May.
One of these twin-engined multirole rotorcraft conducted a simulated attack on a high-altitude target, after which it landed at “one of the most treacherous helipads in the region”, said HAL in a 12 August statement without identifying the exact location for security reasons.
The company added that the locally designed, 5.5 tonne helicopter demonstrated its “quick deployment prowess to forward locations in extreme [freezing] temperatures”.
Official sources told Janes that the move also confirmed the LCH’s ability to operate day and night at altitudes over 4,000m.
In February HAL inaugurated a facility in Bangalore to build 15 LCHs by the end of 2020 as part of a limited series production run. A total of 10 of these platforms would be for the IAF and five for the Army Aviation Corps (AAC). Thereafter, the AAC is expected to order 114 LCH’s and the IAF 65 helicopters.
Powered by two Shakti turboshaft engines the LCH has a maximum payload of 500 kg, an operational range of 550km, and a service ceiling of 6.5km, the latter of which enables it to operate in the 4,700m-high Siachen Glacier in the Himalayas in support of Indian Army troops in the region. (Source: Jane’s)
11 Aug 20. Netherlands resumes NH90 flights, finds wreck of crashed helicopter. The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) has resumed flights with its NH90 helicopters after they were grounded following the crash of one into the Caribbean Sea on 19 July, Dutch Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten told parliament on 7 August. Meanwhile, the wreck of the crashed RNLAF NH90 has been found.
The Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on its website on 7 August that the RNLAF saw no reason to continue the grounding of its NH90s after the initial investigation by the Inspectie Veiligheid Defensie (IVD, Defence Safety Inspectorate) and Onderzoeksraad voor Veiligheid (Dutch Safety Board, OVV) found it was unlikely that the crash was caused by a technical or mechanical failure. Bijleveld-Schouten told parliament on 20 July that RNLAF NH90 flights had been suspended. (Source: Jane’s)
10 Aug 20. First C-130J with new centre wing returns to RAF. Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group has delivered the first of 14 RAF C-130Js to undergo Enhanced Service Life Centre Wing Box replacement back to its base at RAF Brize Norton.
The company modified the aircraft with a new Centre Wing Box kit that delivers significant durability enhancements and extends the service life of the centre wing box by up to three times. This modification will enable the RAF C-130J fleet to remain in operation until 2035 and beyond, ensuring this essential aircraft can continue to support tactical operations around the world.
Marshall ADG’s UK team of highly skilled technicians harnessed their vast C-130 expertise and experience in deep maintenance and modification, along with the use of LEAN manufacturing processes in a specially refurbished state-of-the-art hangar, to remove and reinstall the new centre wing box as quickly and efficiently as possible in order to maximise fleet availability for the RAF.
Marshall ADG CEO, Alistair McPhee, said: “It was truly inspiring to see this aircraft undergoing such innovative modification in our hangar. The team have once again demonstrated their unrivalled expertise on this platform, working collaboratively with a range of stakeholders, including the Ministry of Defence and OEM Lockheed Martin.
“The C-130 has been in production longer than any other aircraft and with more than 450 C-130Js in service it continues to be the transporter of choice with air forces across the globe. We are very proud to be playing our role in the sustainment of such an important UK national asset.”
Stephen Parkinson, DE&S C-130J Delivery Team Leader, recognised the arrival at RAF Brize Norton of the first aircraft to emerge from the Centre Wing Replacement Programme as “a major milestone in ensuring C-130J capability out to the 2035 out-of-service date. Working closely with the DT, the MADG team have demonstrated exceptional technical ability and determination in successfully completing this highly complex engineering task; even a Covid-19 outbreak couldn’t stop the team’s progress!”.
Marshall is undertaking this modification in parallel with scheduled maintenance to maximise fleet availability. Modification of the second aircraft is also already well underway.
During the last five decades, Marshall has supported more than 90 C-130s for the Royal Air Force, performing both standard and deep maintenance, as well as engineering and integrating capability modifications.
Through the innovative Hercules Integrated Operational Support (HIOS) contract, the integrated team has increased the availability of the C-130J fleet while delivering better value for the Ministry of Defence, which has reinforced the C-130J’s position as the RAF’s primary tactical and transport aircraft, supporting military, civilian and humanitarian missions to protect people in critical situations around the globe.
The RAF was the first adopter of the Super Hercules C-130J platform, which is now in operation across all continents of the world with the air forces of New Zealand, France and Germany being the latest to order new fleets from Lockheed Martin.
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
08 Aug 20. General Dynamics Bath Iron Works and Union Reach Agreement. General Dynamics announced today that the negotiating teams from Bath Iron Works and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) Local S6 reached agreement last night on mutually acceptable terms to end the ongoing strike by shipyard workers in Bath, Maine. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service deputy director Rich Giacolone and IAM International President Robert Martinez helped to facilitate the tentative agreement.About 4,300 members of the Local S6 have been on strike since June 22. The agreement is subject to ratification vote by the union’s members. (Source: PR Newswire)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
07 Aug 20. USAF LG David D. Thompson for appointment to the rank of general, with assignment as vice chief of space operations, U.S. Space Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Thompson is currently serving as vice commander, Air Force Space Command (redesignated U.S. Space Force), Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
10 Aug 20. BAE Systems Appoints New Government Relations Chief. Oliver Waghorn has been promoted to the role of head of government relations at the multinational defence, security and aerospace company. Waghorn will oversee BAE Systems’ engagement with central, devolved and local government in the UK, working with the group’s Air, Maritime and Land and AI businesses.
He will provide political counsel to the board and executive committee, co-ordinate corporate responses to governmental policy, support engagement with trade unions and lead engagement with trade associations and think tanks.
Waghorn joined BAE Systems in 2016 as a director of government relations responsible for external relations and policy, and last year was appointed chief of staff to group chief executive Charles Woodburn.
Waghorn has more than 15 years of experience working in the UK government and Westminster in roles including as a special adviser in the Ministry of Defence. He has also worked as group head of the defence and security practice at Interel.
BAE Systems is the biggest supplier to the Ministry of Defence, and Waghorn takes up his role midway through a government Integrated Defence and Security Review. (Source: Google/PR Week)
04 Aug 20. Chess Dynamics welcomed Steve Guy as its new Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) Manager on 3rd August 2020. In his new role, Steve will be responsible for managing CLS whilst supporting the sales team with Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) and CLS requirements. Steve has previous experience managing Sub-Contract Technical Authors & Technical Illustrators for AgustaWestland and managing a team of ILS Engineers, Technical Authors & Illustrators for RTP-UK Ltd on behalf of various large profile customers. With additional experience in Design Engineering, Steve has worked across various projects from Heavy Industrial Engineering, Office Furniture and Aerospace Wing Structures.
10 Aug 20. Isotropic Systems, a leading developer of transformational broadband terminal technologies, today announced it has appointed antenna development veteran and former Phasor CTO John-Paul (JP) Szczepanik as Senior Vice President of Engineering to spearhead the engineering development of the company’s multi-beam terminal leading to commercial launch in government, aero, maritime and telco markets. Szczepanik will play an integral role in managing all aspects of the development and production of Isotropic Systems’ game-changing terminals, including patented circuitry at the core of the optical beamforming lens modules that enable the antenna to link with multiple satellites in multiple orbits.
Based in the UK, Szczepanik will contribute hands-on engineering experience with extremely complex system architecture and RF platform development, further strengthening Isotropic Systems’ fast-growing UK presence and collaborative relationships with a growing number of innovative companies deeply involved in the UK space market.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
12 Aug 20. BTIG adds aerospace, defence and government services specialist to investment banking division. BTIG has hired Michael Papazis, an aerospace, defence and government services specialist, as a Director within its Investment Banking division.
Papazis will be based in the firm’s New York office, and will report to JT Herman, Managing Director and Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, at BTIG. In his new role at BTIG, Papazis will originate transactions and advise clients focused on the aerospace, defence and government services sectors. Prior to BTIG, Papazis was a Managing Director, Head of Aerospace, Defense and Government Services Investment Banking at Scott-Macon, Ltd. Previously, he was a Vice President within Industrial Growth and Services at Oppenheimer & Co. Earlier in his career, Papazis was a Senior Associate within Aerospace and Defense Investment Banking at Jefferies & Company. He earned a BA in economics and government, cum laude, from Dartmouth College. Papazis also holds a master of arts in international affairs from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). (Source: Google/https://www.privateequitywire.co.uk/)
12 Aug 20. Griffin joins Rocket Lab board following Pentagon exit. Just over a month after leaving the Pentagon, former Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Mike Griffin has joined the board of Rocket Lab, a small launch provider with increasing business with the U.S. government.
As the U.S. government has sought to leverage the growing small launch market in recent years, Rocket Lab has been there to pick up the contracts. The U.S. Air Force has awarded the company multiple launch contracts in recent years, and the U.S. Space Force is expected to launch a payload with the company in the coming months. At the same time, the National Reconnaissance Office launched its first payload from New Zealand on one of the company’s Electron rockets earlier this year.
Although the company recently saw one of their launches fail to reach orbit, resulting in the loss of all commercial payloads onboard, a subsequent investigation has cleared Rocket Lab to resume launch activities and both NRO and the Space and Missile Systems Center have said they plan to continue doing business with the company.
Griffin’s addition to the board certainly reflects the company’s desire to continue pursuing national security small launch contracts.(Source: Defense News Early Bird/C4ISR & Networks)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
10 Aug 20. CAE announced the appointment of Daniel Gelston as Group President, Defence & Security, effective August 24, 2020. He will be based in Washington, D.C. and will be succeeding Heidi Wood, CAE’s Executive Vice–President, Business Development & Growth Initiatives, who was also acting as interim Group President. (Source: PR Newswire)
07 Aug 20. Héroux-Devtek Inc. (TSX: HRX) (“Héroux-Devtek” or the “Corporation”), a leading international manufacturer of aerospace products and the world’s third-largest landing gear manufacturer, announces that, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Corporation held virtually on August 7, 2020, each of the eight nominees listed in the management proxy circular dated June 17, 2020 were elected as directors of the Corporation. (Source: PR Newswire)
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