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Job Of The Week!
Solution Architect – Defence
Job Description:
BAE Systems Digital Intelligence is home to 4,800 digital, cyber and intelligence experts. We work collaboratively across 16 countries to collect, connect and understand complex data, so that governments, nation states, armed forces and commercial businesses can unlock digital advantage in the most demanding environments.
The Digital Defence Services Business Unit in BAE Systems Digital Intelligence delivers mission focused solutions in digital transformation to clients across Land, Sea, Air, Space and Cyber.
We are looking for an experienced Solution / Application Architect to join our team to work on a variety of projects for our clients. You will work closely within an Agile Development Team to architect the overall solution, provide software engineers with guidance on microservices structure, interface design etc. and provide technical assurance across the developed product.
Key Accountabilities:
- Leads the development of solution architectures, ensuring consistency with specified requirements agreed with both external and internal customers.
- Responsible for defining and managing the solution engineering approach.
- Ensure that the design meets key functional and non-functional requirements and will allow the operational and through-life scenarios required for the solution to be satisfied.
- Specify the development of performant, secure and supportable code and data flows
- Owns and manages technical and solution risks. Works to reduce and mitigate at earliest practical opportunity
- Retains overall ownership of solution through delivery and transition into operation and/or subsequent refinement, or modification.
- Ensures that appropriate standards (corporate, industry, national and international) are adhered to.
Given the client-driven nature of our work, technology stack can vary from project to project. However, experience of at least some of Enterprise Java, Linux, AWS and Nifi would be useful.
Life at BAE Systems Digital Intelligence
We are embracing Hybrid Working. This means you and your colleagues may be working in different locations, such as from home, another BAE Systems office or client site, some or all of the time, and work might be going on at different times of the day.
By embracing technology, we can interact, collaborate and create together, even when we’re working remotely from one another. Hybrid Working allows for increased flexibility in when and where we work, helping us to balance our work and personal life more effectively, and enhance well-being.
Diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. We are proud to have an organisational culture where employees with varying perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds – the best and brightest minds – can work together to achieve excellence and realise individual and organisational potential.
Division overview: Capabilities
At BAE Systems Digital Intelligence, we pride ourselves in being a leader in the cyber defence industry, and Capabilities is the engine that keeps the business moving forward. It is the largest area of Digital Intelligence, containing our Engineering, Consulting and Project Management teams that design and implement the defence solutions and digital transformation projects that make us a globally recognised brand in both the public and private sector.
As a member of the Capabilities team, you will be creating and managing the solutions that earn us our place in an ever changing digital world. We all have a role to play in defending our clients, and this is yours.
VACANCIES
08 Dec 22. ANRA Technologies seeks technical project manager to join the European office. Uncrewed Traffic Management (UTM) company ANRA Technologies is looking for an experienced and highly motivated Technical Project Manager to join the European office. Previous experience in aviation/aerospace/drones is desirable.
Some of the duties will include strategic planning with company executives and coordination across departments in the execution of these strategies. In addition to management skills, the candidate should have an understanding of the technical aspects of software engineering.
The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of the market and competitor’s products to leverage our software family of products across the competitive landscape to meet market demands.
The candidate must be at ease working in an agile environment with little supervision, and should embody a passion for continuous improvement and test-driven development for a rapidly changing drone industry. The position is an immediate need, and ANRA is looking for a candidate with availability to start over the next few weeks.
Responsibilities (but not limited to)
- Work with an international distributed team of Software Developers
- Accountable for ensuring that all projects are delivered on-time, within scope and within budget
- Assist in the definition of project scope and objectives, involving all relevant stakeholders and ensuring technical feasibility
- Develop a detailed project plan to monitor and track progress
- Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation
- Collaborate to deliver robust cloud-based solutions that are interoperable with global aviation standards.
- Write and review technical proposals.
- Share your passion for staying on top of aviation tech trends, experimenting with and learning new technologies.
- Participate in internal and external technology discussions and meetings that include customers, industry, standard development organizations, and government entities.
- Occasional travel to support projects, speaking engagement, and customer meetings.
Application details here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3377686769/?refId=UG8h1jf4T6%2BgRTKef7BQ5Q%3D%3D&trackingId=UG8h1jf4T6%2BgRTKef7BQ5Q%3D%3D
For more information visit: www.anratechnologies.com
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
LOCATIONS
LAND
12 Dec 22. Ground breaking marks the start of infrastructure improvement works at Upavon. A new £12m project has begun at Trenchard Lines in Upavon, Wiltshire. Brigadier Richard Brown, Army Basing Infra Head, Warren Webster, DIO MPP Programme Director (Army) and David Snell, Director, Kier Construction Western & Wales at the ground-breaking event at Trenchard Lines, Upavon (Copyright Kier])
The project, which is due for completion in early 2024, is being delivered by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and its industry partners on behalf of the British Army.
The scope of works for 2 Military Intelligence Battalion (2 MI Bn) includes reconfiguration of the Junior Rank’s mess and refurbishment of the Battalion Headquarters offices, with the majority of the works involving the refurbishment of a historic hangar to provide Light Aid Detachment workshops and Quarter Master storage. The workshop facilitates maintenance support to the Battalion fleet of vehicles.
2 MI Bn is a regular unit under the operational command of Field Army Troops and has a unique role. Using forensic technical capabilities such as biometrics and fingerprinting, soldiers and officers provide commanders with effective intelligence that supports decision making.
The project will enable the Battalion to grow at Upavon by providing the environment to support their training and work to efficiently deliver military capability and enable operational success. The refurbishment work at Upavon will provide an enhanced environment for personnel to live, work and train and is the start of a series of improvement works to the site.
Warren Webster, DIO’s Major Programmes and Projects (MPP) Programme Director (Army), was joined by members of the DIO project team, contractor, Kier, and members of the technical service provider, AECOM, to mark the beginning of the construction work.
Brigadier Richard Brown, Army Basing Infra Head said: “The works here at Trenchard Lines, Upavon will ensure that 2 MI Bn’s soldiers can live, work and train in an environment which enables them to perform at their best. Despite challenges such as the pandemic, inflation and the sad events in Ukraine, our staff have been outstanding in keeping to the timelines for this project.”
The team has included staff from Army HQ Basing and Infrastructure, Defence Infrastructure Organisation, the Technical Support Provider AECOM and Kier, the contractor, many inevitably working remotely across the UK.
Collaboratively they have developed the designs and got us to where we are today at this ground-breaking event. This is yet another example of our commitment to improve the Army Estate by investing in critical infrastructure.
Warren Webster, DIO MPP Programme Director (Army) said “I’m extremely proud to be able to mark this important milestone with the British Army, Kier and our technical service provider, AECOM, as we break ground on this major project. The new and improved facilities here at Upavon will rejuvenate the site and provide an enhanced environment for personnel to live, work and train. “
The construction work will be carried out by Kier. The building works involve the refurbishment of existing military infrastructure and buildings to support future military capability, as well as improving sustainability in terms of energy performance.
Hangar 186, a 1938 aircraft hangar of historic interest will be remodelled to form a vehicle workshop for the repair and maintenance of various battalion vehicles. The existing armoury and ammunition store will be extended and remodelled, as will the office headquarters, bringing it up to the current Battalion requirements. The mess and canteen space will also be remodelled.
David Snell, Director, Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “It’s great to be on site to celebrate the start of building works. We’re proud to be part of this important transformation project on behalf of the Army and DIO, further building on our experience of delivering projects for the Ministry of Defence and working in support of our armed services community. During the project, we will look to offer short work placements to local service leavers, continuing our strong affiliation with Buildforce, supporting those who are considering careers in the construction sector.” (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
12 Dec 22. USAF selects Will Rogers ANGB as AT-802U aircraft candidate location. The chosen base is expected to receive 28 AT-802Us to replace the existing MC-12 Liberty aircraft. The US Air Force (USAF) has chosen Will Rogers Air National Guard Base (ANGB) as the only candidate location to receive AT-802U Sky Warden aircraft.
The decision to select this Oklahoma-based ANGB was made by USAF secretary Frank Kendall.
Sky Warden is a multi-role, armed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, being developed as part of the US Special Operations Command’s Armed Overwatch programme.
A contract to provide AT-802Us has already been awarded to L3Harris Technologies and Air Tractor in August.
The new aircraft will replace the MC-12 Liberty medium-to-low-altitude aircraft at Will Rogers ANGB. The base will receive a total of 28 AT-802U aircraft.
Apart from this, the existing MC-12 Formal Training Unit (FTU) will also be transformed into AT-802U Total Force Integration FTU.
Around 80 personnel will be deployed at Will Rogers to support AT-802U missions that are planned to be undertaken by the 310th Special Operations Squadron (SOS).
The arrangement will see 310th SOS relocate from Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico to Will Rogers ANGB.
After relocating, 310th SOS will form an active association with 185th SOS, a unit deployed under Oklahoma ANG’s 137th Special Operations Wing at Will Rogers ANGB, to support future missions.
The USAF is further planning to conduct a site survey at the chosen candidate base next year.
It will allow the service to examine the potential impact of Sky Warden on existing missions, as well as to assess various operational requirements such as manpower, housing and infrastructure.
The site survey will be followed by an environmental impact analysis procedure, which is expected to be carried out by the Department of Air Force in autumn 2023, before finalising the decision regarding Will Rogers base. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
12 Dec 22. Built Estate contracts delivering improvements for Armed Forces one year on. Innovation and collaboration have paved the way for success as the first of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation’s (DIO) £1.6bn Built Estate contracts reaches its one-year milestone.
Divided regionally and awarded to three contractors – Mitie, VIVO and Vinci – the hard facilities management contracts have delivered a series of improvements to support the Armed Forces at more than 400 Defence sites across the UK.
The contracts have reshaped the way DIO provides these crucial services, embedding more efficient processes to ensure the quicker delivery of high volume, lower value works, and increasing value for money for the taxpayer.
An established ‘Supplier’s Alliance’ has allowed VINCI, VIVO and Mitie to share knowledge and ideas to improve delivery across the whole estate. The first big focus has been on sustainability and the delivery of significant CO2 reduction. This has included work by VIVO to install smart building management technology to reduce energy wastage.
This ‘one team’ approach to drive improvements has been supported by aligning DIO’s database with the suppliers. The system aims to hold accurate data about every asset on the Defence estate, to enable the shift towards a more preventative maintenance approach.
A new ‘trust with consequences’ (TwC) contractual arrangement has been adopted for delivering low value, high volume works in a quicker and more agile way. This allows projects worth up to £25,000 to bypass the usual tendering approvals processes, allowing work to start immediately. This requires a greater degree of trust in suppliers and ultimately provides customers with a faster, more efficient service.
So far, across all regions, more than 16,000 TwC works have been instructed with a total value of over £100m. Following feedback from estate users, the TwC limit is increasing to £100,000 to enable even more essential works to take place at pace.
DIO’s Chief Operating Officer David Brewer said the Built Estate’s one-year on successes are born out of great partnerships and embracing new ways of working. He said: “I’m really delighted to be where we are with the Built Estate contract one year on. It feels like there is a genuine partnership between our Armed Forces customers, DIO and our suppliers and all those involved have really bought into the dynamic nature of this contract, particularly the key elements that have enabled us to better understand the estate assets, prioritise tasks and deliver preventative maintenance and repairs in a more timely fashion.
All three contractors have shown great enterprise and initiative in the way they have approached the challenges we have faced so far, and everybody has got a common view of what good looks like, and everybody’s really committed to driving improvements. What we’ve got in the first year is a really good foundation for what we expect, and hope, will be very significant improvements throughout the life of the contracts.”
Mitie’s contract supports 4,400 Defence buildings across Scotland and
Northern Ireland. In the first 100 days of the contract, one of Mitie’s focuses was on small jobs which would improve the welfare of service personnel and enhance the appearance of sites. It undertook 523 improvement works in that time, investing over £250,000.
Mitie has also worked to reduce waste and increase recycling. Between April and November 2022, 100% of waste was diverted from landfill and 39 tonnes of CO2 saved – enough to power 15,431 homes for a day. Additionally, 721 trees have been saved by recycling paper and cardboard.
The other regional contracts, with VIVO and VINCI, have also seen innovation, such as VIVO’s use of smart technology to reduce energy wastage. Following a successful pilot at RAF Leeming and HMS Collingwood, around 100 further sites will see upgrades, such as thermostatic radiator valves, over the next three years. This is expected to reduce their carbon emissions by at least 10%.
Air Commodore Adrian Portlock, the RAF’s Assistant Chief of Staff Infrastructure, said: “It has been 12 months since the first of the Built Estate contracts went live and the benefits of moving away from the previous ‘fix or fail’ contract to one focused on preventative maintenance are starting to be realised across the Defence Estate. We have worked collaboratively with DIO and all the providers to increase delivery capacity, make processes more efficient, and leverage innovation across the contracts. This should yield even greater benefit as we move into the second year.”
Steven Ellison, Mitie Managing Director, Scotland & Northern Ireland FDIS Programme, said: “Mapping to the DIO’s new contract operating model, we led the way in their mission to provide a Better Estate, Better Service and Better Business of the built estate. Our journey in this first year has proven that collaboration and teamwork across all sectors can realise change for the better. From integrating the Computer Aided Facilities Management system to the 100 Day Challenge, we are proud of our achievements and our role in ensuring the FDIS estates are safe and operationally effective and improving the lived experience for all occupiers and users across Scotland and Northern Ireland.”
Jerry Moloney, Managing Director at VIVO Defence Services, said: “As a new company, we are determined to bring our energy, innovation and resourcefulness to the table to help drive through improvement wherever we can and are very keen to collaborate with all of our partners. We all have a huge responsibility providing these services for our military and working together and putting our customers first is key to all of us being successful. We are extremely proud to be part of this alliance.”
The nationwide Built Estate contracts were the first to be awarded under DIO’s Future Defence Infrastructure Services programme. They cover 31,000 units and provide facilities management for infrastructure essential to enabling the Armed Forces to carry out their role. This includes key Defence sites, such as RAF Lossiemouth, Catterick Garrison, the British Army’s headquarters in Andover, and Britannia Royal Naval College.
The contracts have created and sustained thousands of jobs across the UK, including more than 340 in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The investment also supports small and medium enterprises across the UK through the Defence supply chain. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
MARITIME
16 Dec 22. Rapturous welcome in Plymouth for Royal Navy warship as four-year mission ends. After more than four years away from the UK, Royal Navy frigate HMS Montrose today returned to Plymouth – the last major warship which is returning home for in time for Christmas.
Around 800 family members and friends – many holding banners– lined the jetty at Devonport Naval Base to welcome home the ship, which hasn’t been in the UK since October 2018.
Since leaving home, Montrose has spent the bulk of her time deployed in the Gulf region; more than three-and-a-half years conducting patrols to safeguard merchant shipping, tackle criminal and terrorist activity, including arms and drugs smuggling, and working with allies as part of the international security effort.
During her deployment, the ship has:
- Achieved more than ten drugs busts, seizing 16 tonnes of illegal narcotics worth at least £80m
- Seized illegal shipments of surface-to-air missiles and cruise missile engines in the first bust of its kind by the Royal Navy in the region
- Guided more than 130 merchant vessels – cargo carriers, tankers, and container ships – through choke points
- Spent 1,509 days away from the UK, more than 1,350 of them in the Gulf
- Sailed more than 140,000 nautical miles (two-thirds of the distance to the moon)
Some of those activities – including a succession of drugs busts, plus the arms seizure in early 2022 – earned the frigate’s Commanding Officer Claire Thompson an OBE in the King’s first operational honours list, announced last month.
Bringing Montrose home to a rapturous welcome, Commander Thompson said: “Returning after four years away, in time for Christmas, and with 800 of our families and friends waiting for us on the jetty, mean the ship’s been excited and alive with expectation all week.
“The homecoming is a huge occasion and one that we have been looking forward to, over the past six months. Some of our younger sailors have never experienced the thrill of bringing a ship home and having their families on the jetty to meet them – it’s something I’m sure they will never forget.
“I’m enormously proud of what my team and the ship have achieved over those four years. It is fantastic to get them all home for the festive period, especially given we were away last year – we were actually conducting boarding operations on Christmas Day in 2021.”
Although the ship herself has been away from the UK for more than four years, her sailors and Royal Marines have not.
Her crew changes every four months, with the rotations planned so that the personnel spend at least one Christmas in two at home with loved ones.
The 11 rotations of crew also spared the ship the month-long voyage to and from the Middle East at the beginning and end of a regular six or seven-month deployment, making the ship available for more operations, and allowing personnel to plan their lives with much greater certainty.
Principal Warfare Officer Lieutenant Commander Shaun Dodd has completed three tours of duty aboard Montrose in the Gulf and is “hugely proud of the work my team and I have achieved”.
“Having worked on the ship’s homecoming, I knew it would be a poignant, memorable and happy occasion for all involved,” he said.
Seaman Specialist Able Seaman Charlie Grant said: “The ship has done some rewarding work and I am proud to have been a part of that.”
And from weapons engineering officer Lieutenant Commander Ellis Pearson: “We’re also really grateful we are the crew who’ve brought HMS Montrose home to the UK after four years.
“The ship is 30 years old now and her final homecoming has been very emotional for us all.”
After a short period of maintenance, Montrose will return to sea early in 2023 for operational duties and a ‘farewell tour’ – including a visit to her namesake Scottish town – before the ship is formally decommissioned in the spring. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
15 Dec 22. TKMS launches Singapore’s second and third Type 218SG submarines. The fourth vessel, Inimitable, is currently under construction. German naval company ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has launched the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) second and third Invincible-class or Type 218SG submarines. On 13 December, the company hosted a combined launch ceremony for both the vessels at its shipyard in Kiel, Germany.
The event was presided by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen along with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other senior officials from the two countries.
Submarine sponsor Ho Ching, the wife of the Singaporean Prime Minister, launched the two vessels simultaneously during the event.
The second and third Type 218SG submarines are named ‘Impeccable’ and ‘Illustrious’, respectively.
The two submarines will now undergo intensive trials, with their final delivery to the RSN expected to start from 2023.
Lee Hsien Loong said: “Our collaboration on this strategy capability underscores the depth of partnership and the trust between our navies and our defence industries.”
In December 2013, the Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) awarded a contract to TKMS to build the first two Type 218SG submarines for the RSN.
Later, MINDEF awarded another contract to TKMS in 2017, for building two more submarines of the same class.
The first submarine of this class, named Invincible, was launched in 2019. Currently, the fourth vessel, Inimitable, is under construction.
Equipped with several customised solutions and latest technologies, the four new Invincible-class submarines will replace the RSN’s existing Archer-class and Challenger-class fleet.
After the launch ceremony, TKMS signed a teaming agreement with Singapore-based ST Engineering to provide in-service support and warranty services for the four Invincible-class diesel-electric submarines.
The agreement aims to ensure that the submarines can receive required sustainment and support services in Singapore throughout their service life. (Source: naval-technology.com)
08 Dec 22. The US Navy has authenticated the keel for its future Virginia-class nuclear-powered fast attack Block V submarine USS Arizona (SSN 803). The new construction milestone was marked by a keel-laying ceremony at General Dynamics Electric Boat’s (GDEB) Quonset Point facility in Rhode Island, US. The event was attended by various senior officials and leaders from the US Navy, along with representatives from the shipbuilding company. During this traditional ceremony, initials of the submarine’s sponsor were welded onto a steel plate. Arizona is sponsored by Nikki Stratton, the granddaughter of US Navy former seaman first class Donald Stratton. He served aboard the US Navy’s USS Arizona (BB 39) warship, the first vessel to bear this name, during the 1941 attack. BB 39 was sunk during the attack on Pearl Harbour on 7 December 1941. (Source: naval-technology.com)
08 Dec 22. Turkey’s first Reis-class submarine starts sea trials. The first of six new Type 214TN Reis-class submarines on order for the Turkish Navy has started initial sea trials. First-of-class Pirireis (S 330) was put to sea for the first time from the facilities of Gölcük Naval Shipyard on the east coast of the Sea of Marmara on 6 December. Imagery posted online by independent ship spotters showed the submarine departing for trials in the Sea of Marmara accompanied by a tug and an S-70B Seahawk helicopter on 6 December and returning to Gölcük Naval Shipyard later that day. Turkey selected German shipbuilder Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft’s (now ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems) Type 214-class air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarine design in 2008 to meet its requirement for new boats to replace Turkey’s ageing Type 209 boats. A contract worth around EUR2.5bn (then valued at USD3.96bn) was signed in 2009 covering the delivery of material packages for the six boats, which are being built by Gölcük Naval Dockyard using a high degree of local content. (Source: Janes)
AIR
13 Dec 22. Latvian National Armed Forces Receive First Two New Black Hawk Helicopters. On Sunday, December 11, the C17 aircraft of the US Armed Forces landed at the Lielvārde Air Force Base, with which the US Armed Forces delivered the first two of the four UH-60M “Black Hawk” helicopters ordered by Latvia.
“This is a long-awaited addition to the arsenal that allows the Air Force to achieve a new level of capability by replacing the depleted Soviet Mi-17s with new and advanced Black Hawk helicopters. The new equipment will help both in military operations and, if necessary, also in rescue works and other types of operations,” emphasizes Defense Minister Artis Pabriks.
Both helicopters have been delivered to Latvia in a partially disassembled form, therefore, in the following days, the necessary technical work will be carried out in order to be able to perform the planned test flights. It has already been reported that in September 2018, the Cabinet of Ministers supported the purchase of four “Black Hawk” helicopters worth approximately 175m euros, concluding an intergovernmental agreement with the United States, the co-financing of which amounts to 15.5m US dollars. The delivery of the remaining two helicopters is planned until the end of 2023. Air Force pilots and technicians have participated in several training courses since 2020 to learn the operation and maintenance of these aircraft. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/: Latvia Ministry of Defence)
09 Dec 22. Myanmar Air Force inducts new FTC-2000Gs. The Myanmar Air Force (MAF) has taken delivery of an initial batch of Chinese FTC-2000G multirole advanced jet trainer/light attack aircraft, which will further boost its capabilities at the beginning of a militarily critical phase of Myanmar’s civil war. Regional intelligence sources confirmed to Janes that four new FTC-2000Gs were delivered in November, while the online news magazine The Irrawaddy, which has tracked MAF procurements closely, reported on 5 December that six of the aircraft had been delivered. The FTC-2000Gs are reportedly to be based at Namsang, in the southern part of northeastern Shan State, and will gradually replace the Sino-Pakistan-produced K-8 ‘Karakorum’ trainer/light attack jets. In the MAF inventory, since the late 1990s, the ageing K-8s have continued to fly combat missions this year notably in the southern Shan-northern Kayah state zone of operations, which has seen heavy and repeated hostilities between the Myanmar Army and opposition forces. (Source: Janes)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
09 Dec 22. HMAS Wollongong decommissioned. The Armidale Class vessel has been farewelled after 15 years of service. The Royal Australian Navy has officially decommissioned Armidale Class patrol boat HMAS Wollongong at a ceremony in HMAS Cairns. Over the past 15 years, HMAS Wollongong has been deployed to combat unauthorised entry and breaches of customs, while also protecting fisheries and enforcing drug trafficking legislation.
The patrol boat contributed to a number of major operations, including Operations Augury (Philippines), Solania (South West Pacific) and APEC Assist (PNG), and the 2019 G20 Summit in Japan. The decommissioning ceremony was attended by Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley, CSC, RAN, who thanked the crew for their service.
“HMAS Wollongong and the crews who have served in the vessel have made a significant contribution to our national interest,” RADM Earley said.
“These professional and dedicated men and women have protected our nation’s borders and offshore maritime interests from illegal activity.
“While today’s decommissioning is a necessary part of renewing our fleet, it is also an opportunity to honour the contribution made by the crews who have served Australia in HMAS Wollongong.”
Commanding Officer HMAS Wollongong, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Hams, reflected on the vessel’s work alongside Border Force, Australian Fisheries and the Australian Federal Police.
“Of note, HMAS Wollongong has steamed almost 1 m kilometres throughout its service, and I commend the professionalism, dedication, and passion of the crews who have served,” LCDR Hams said.
The decommissioning of the Armidale Class vessel forms part of the RAN’s transition to 12 new Arafura Class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).
The next-generation OPVs are expected to have greater range and endurance, enabling Navy to perform operations over great distances and in more complex maritime environments.
The first two Arafura Class vessels were constructed at Osborne Shipyard in South Australia, with the remaining 10 to be built in Henderson, Western Australia. HMAS Wollongong is the latest of a number of Armidale Class vessels to be decommissioned this year, coming just months after HMAS Glenelg was farewelled at a ceremony at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin. (Source: Defence Connect)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
14 Dec 22. U.S. forces launch space unit in South Korea amid North’s growing threats. U.S. Forces Korea launched a new space forces unit on Wednesday as the allies ramp up efforts to better counter North Korea’s evolving nuclear and missile threats. The U.S. Space Forces Korea is the second overseas space component of the Space Force and tasked with monitoring, detecting and tracking incoming missiles, as well as bolstering the military’s overall space capability.
U.S. Forces Korea commander Gen. Paul LaCamera hosted a ceremony at Osan Air Base in the South Korean city of Pyeongtaek to mark the creation of the unit, which will be led by Lt. Col. Joshua McCullion.
The launch came as Seoul and Washington seek to boost security cooperation to deter North Korea, which has tested intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching U.S. mainland this year.
South Korea’s air force also set up its own space unit this month to bolster its space power and operation capability together with the U.S. Space Force.
Around 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea under a mutual defence treaty forged after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Central Command set up their space units last month in Hawaii and Florida. (Source: Reuters)
09 Dec 22. Time running out for Pentagon nominees. Pentagon leaders fear the chance of advancing a slate of critical department nominations this year is dwindling amid ongoing opposition on Capitol Hill, and they’re warning that delays could cause significant hardship for military operations in the months to come.
With only one week of scheduled work left for the Senate this year, 10 senior defense nominations await votes from the chamber. Several have been pending for months. Lester Martinez-Lopez, President Joe Biden’s pick to be assistant secretary of defense for health affairs, has been awaiting confirmation since January.
The end of a congressional session typically brings with it a flurry of confirmations of noncontroversial candidates. But in recent days, several Republican senators have vowed to block some or all Defense Department nominations over separate disagreements with the Biden administration, dimming the prospect for completing the work this month.
And since a new session of Congress begins next month, any nominees who aren’t confirmed by the end of this year will have to refile paperwork and restart the confirmation process, a situation that potentially leaves them waiting for additional months.
“These holds are hamstringing an organization at a time when we have a pacing challenge in China, an acute threat from Russia,” a senior defense official said, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of negotiations between the Pentagon and Capitol Hill. “These are the people who would serve as connective tissue between the president, the White House, the secretary and the deputy, the uniformed military, and career bureaucracy — and that’s a really important role.
“At a time when Congress is telling us to run faster, compete with China, focus more on Taiwan, focus more on acquisitions, do a better job recruiting, they’re also saying: ‘And oh, by the way, do it without 10 highly qualified civilian nominees.’ ”
Pentagon planners say that without service-level, workforce-focused personnel in place like Franklin Parker, the pick to be assistant secretary of Navy manpower and reserve affairs, and Agnes Schaefer, nominated to the same role for the Army, the services are less equipped to tackle difficult issues like sexual assault and recruiting shortfalls.
“These are individuals who I think would be well placed to inspire more people to consider service. They will be focused on the best practices in recruiting and retention. And again, they’re not in their seats,” the defense official said.
Other nominees on hold are Radha Plumb, Biden’s pick for deputy undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, and Laura Taylor-Kale, the pick for assistant secretary of defense for industrial base policy.
Pentagon officials argue that both would be pivotal to ramping up the defense-industrial base and military aid to Ukraine, which are bipartisan priorities.
Senate Democratic leaders could force votes on each nominee in the coming days. But that’s seen as unlikely, given the time-consuming nature of passing through parliamentary hurdles for each one, a process that can take several days.
The chamber’s legislative schedule is already bogged down by passage of the annual defense authorization bill, a Ukraine spending package and a potential full-year appropriations deal, items that leaders hope to clear by Dec. 16. If there’s any spare time for nominees, Democratic leaders appear to be using it to confirm judges.
Still, Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., and fellow Democrats plan next week to call up the Pentagon nominees individually on the chamber floor in hopes of catching the Republicans off guard, or at least forcing them to come to the floor to object, according to a Senate Democratic aide.
But the list of objectors is long.
Earlier this week, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., announced plans to hold all pending defense nominations because of unanswered questions regarding military policies on abortion access for troops.
Staffers received a briefing from the acting assistant secretary of defense for health affairs on Thursday, but Tuberville planned to announce Friday he would maintain the hold over what he sees as an illegal policy to help pregnant troops obtain abortions.
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., announced plans to hold several nominees over the Pentagon’s mandate that all troops get vaccinated against COVID-19.
A mandate repeal is expected to pass by the end of the week as part of the defense authorization bill, but Lankford said he would maintain the hold because of “major concerns over DoD’s unwillingness to grant religious accommodations” for vaccine refusers.
Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has had a blanket hold on DoD and State Department nominations for months over concerns about how the administration handled the 2021 withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, is holding Plumb and Taylor-Kale over concerns about a mine project in Alaska that’s subject to federal litigation.
“No one really disputes the qualifications of these nominees,” the senior defense official said. “In some cases, these people have put their careers on hold, in some cases for a year now.
“I worry about the message that it sends to public servants from the Democratic or Republican [parties] who are thinking about wanting to serve in a future administration.”
Some of the roles have career civilians filling in, but they’re not empowered to set certain policy priorities, which bogs down the Pentagon’s work.
“No matter what the institution wants that acting individual to do, there are both legal and bureaucratic constraints, and that slows things down,” said David Berteau, the chief executive of the Professional Services Council, a defense industry group.
Berteau says a slowdown in procurement lead times over recent years can partly be attributed to unfilled vacancies for Senate-confirmed personnel.
Another potential effect, according to Berteau, is that when the administration hits its midpoint and some appointees retire, Biden will have a narrower bench of confirmed officials to draw from for replacements.
Should Biden re-nominate the appointees, and should they then resubmit their disclosure paperwork, they would have to undergo new FBI screenings. Then, leaders of the Senate Armed Services Committee would have to decide whether to hold new confirmation hearings. It’s unclear how long that process might take.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other Pentagon officials have been pressing both Republican senators and lead Democrats over the delays since lawmakers returned to Capitol Hill last month, following their extended break before the midterm elections.
“I would say that our goal is to get these 10 nominees confirmed, and we are using an all-of-the-above strategy,” the senior defense official said. “We’re just going to assess where we’re at day by day, challenge by challenge, and continue to address individual holds, individual issues.” (Source: Defense News)
09 Dec 22. A third of New Zealand’s Navy ships are docked over lack of crew. Three of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s nine ships are now docked at the Devonport naval base indefinitely, due to insufficient personnel.
The 279-foot offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Wellington is now the third ship to enter a period of idleness, joining the Navy’s other offshore patrol vessel HMNZS Otago and one of the two remaining 180-foot inshore patrol vessels HMZNS Hawea.
Chief of Defence Force Air Marshal Kevin Short declared the move would free up engineering personnel amid a workforce attrition. Placing a ship into care and custody will consolidate the workforce and allow better management of the effects of attrition, he argued.
Asked if the decision would enable the rest of the Navy’s fleet to remain operational, a service spokesperson told Defense News that depends on several factors.
“If the current attrition rate of 16.5% can be arrested, it is expected [that we] will have sufficient sailors to operate the rest of the fleet,” the spokesperson said. “However, there remains a level of uncertainty until this attrition rate is reversed. This requires a number of initiatives to take effect, including addressing the widening gap between our sailor remuneration and what the highly competitive job market is offering.”
But pay is not necessarily the major reason for attrition rates, according to independent defense consultant Gordon Crane.
“Many of the personnel ordered to manage quarantine facilities during the COVID epidemic subsequently resigned,” Crane told Defense News.
New Zealand sold two inshore patrol vessels to Ireland in March. At the time, Chief of Navy Rear Adm. David Proctor said the two remaining ships (four were built in total) provide important training and command opportunities for junior officers.
Now only one inshore patrol vessel — the HMNZS Taupo — remains available, although it has a full work program scheduled for next year, a Navy spokesperson told Defense News. (Source: Defense News)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
14 Dec 22. The Cabinet Secretary, with the approval of the Prime Minister, has appointed Gareth Davies as the new Permanent Secretary at the Department for International Trade (DIT). Gareth succeeds James Bowler who took up a new role as Permanent Secretary to HM Treasury in October. Gareth will take up his new role early in the new year. Gareth will support the Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch MP, the Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, and her Ministerial team and be responsible for leadership of the Department.
12 Dec 22. Mr Darren Welch has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union in succession to Dr Alastair McPhail CMG OBE who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Welch will take up his appointment during January 2023.
09 Dec 22. The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) has announced the appointment of Justin Bibby, into the role of Assistant Chief Constable, Nuclear and Marine. This follows the appointment of Melanie Dales, as the force’s new Deputy Chief Constable. ACC Justin Bibby has spent the last two years as the lead for Investigations and Operational Support in Staffordshire Police, having joined them in August 2020.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
09 Dec 22. USN Adm. Charles Richard passed command of U.S. Strategic Command to Air Force Gen. Anthony J. Cotton today during a ceremony at the LeMay Command and Control Facility at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III oversaw the ceremony and told the audience that the command is adjusting to face new challenges.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
10 Dec 22. Pakistan has a new Chief of Army Staff. General Syed Asif Munir was reportedly the consensus candidate for the post of Chief of Army Staff. His appointment was however preceded by chaos caused by the replacement of Imran Khan as Prime Minister by some coalition partners who were accused by Imran Khan as having been encouraged by the army to desert him and consequent loss of majority in Parliament! Imran Khan’s ouster as Prime Minister was a unique event in Pakistan’s history as he was the first PM to be replaced by the Parliament a ..
Read more at: http://www.indiandefencereview.com/spotlights/pakistan-has-a-new-chief-of-army-staff/ (Source: Google/http://www.indiandefencereview.com/)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
13 Dec 22. Babcock launches engineering recruitment push. The global defence contractor is looking to attract a new cohort of engineers after securing over $1bn in contracts. Babcock has announced the launch of a recruitment drive aimed at filling 100 engineering roles to support $1.1bn in defence contracts.
Recent contracts include the delivery of a next-generation upgrade to Australia’s Defence High Frequency Communications System, and the management and sustainment of the Royal Australian Navy ships at Henderson, Western Australia, as the Regional Maintenance Provider West.
Other opportunities for prospective engineers include:
- supporting submarine weaponry;
- counter-chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (C-CBRNE), ground support equipment; and
- work across aviation and critical services divisions.
Specifically, engineering work would range from systems and software engineering to mechanical and electrical engineering, and naval architecture.
“Babcock is a global company, with global opportunities expanding throughout Australasia,” Babcock’s acting executive director, engineering, technology and program management, Glenn Logan, sai
“To help fuel that growth, we are recruiting engineers to work on some of the most innovative and challenging projects which contribute to the safety and security of the region.
“We’re after graduates right through to experienced engineers, and Babcock’s agile working practices enable many of these recruits to work anywhere in the region.”
Babcock program engineering manager Jack Gracie reflected on his work supporting the Collins Class submarines in 2017, during which he was seconded to the UK to work on the Attack Class submarines.
“Babcock has created a unique resourcing model designed to work for its people. The approach is focused on creating more opportunities for our people throughout Babcock’s global reach of diverse and innovative programs,” Gracie said.
“It’s also a really great opportunity for graduates as they are exposed to the many varied roles here at Babcock. If they don’t love their chosen field straight away, Babcock will support them in choosing another path they might be more interested in.”
Chief technologist Karen Trezise noted the opportunities available to new recruits.
“There’s always new challenges and problems to solve, but it’s knowing that what you develop goes into the hands of those that help defend our country — that’s what makes our job so rewarding,” she said.
“I get real satisfaction working at Babcock when I see a naval ship sailing or an aircraft flying and think, wow, I’ve had a hand in developing that capability.
“And, with Babcock’s agile approach to working, I work closely with teams across the region, and globally, often from the comfort from my own home in Melbourne.” (Source: Defence Connect)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
14 Dec 22. Following a decision by the Airbus Board of Directors, Tony Wood has joined the Board as a non-executive director with immediate effect, replacing Lord Paul Drayson who resigned on the day of the 2022 Annual General Meeting. In accordance with the Board of Directors’ internal rules and the Company’s Articles of Association, Tony Wood’s appointment as a non-executive director for a three year mandate will be submitted for approval at the next Annual General Meeting of shareholders in April 2023. Tony Wood has extensive experience of the aerospace industry and defence sector. He is currently a Member of the Board of National Grid plc, an energy transmission company operating in the UK and the US.
09 Dec 22. As senior vice president, David Ruetz is taking over the Messe Berlin Travel + Logistics division, and is thus also in charge of ILA Berlin with immediate effect. He succeeds Dr. Martin Buck, who is going into retirement. At ILA Berlin David Ruetz will deal mainly with strategically developing the event. The emphasis will be on consistently evolving ILA into a trade fair focusing on the key themes of innovation, new technologies and sustainability.
David Ruetz has long years of experience in the international trade fair industry. As senior vice president, along with ILA Berlin he is also responsible for the global brand family that is ITB. He joined Messe Berlin in 2001 and in 2003 took over as project manager for ITB Berlin, the world’s leading trade show in this sector. He was instrumental in expanding the ITB brand and establishing ITB Asia in Singapore, and also helped set up ITB China in Shanghai and ITB India in Mumbai.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
08 Dec 22. Avion Solutions announced today that President & CEO, Chad Donald will retire after twenty-eight years with the organization. Evan Wagner, Avion’s current Vice President and Chief Operating Officer will succeed him in his role. Mr. Donald began his career with Avion as a Technical Specialist in 1994. He served in various leadership roles, including Program Manager, Director of Special Projects, and Executive Vice President before becoming President in 2014 upon the retirement of his father, Gary Donald. As President and CEO, Mr. Donald has led Avion Solutions to achieve a many significant accomplishments, including numerous blanket purchase agreement contract awards resulting in more than forty task orders; multiple Small Business of the Year awards; nine-time finalist and three Best Placed to Work® awards; and Avion’s transition to a 100% employee owned (ESOP) company in July 2020. (Source: PR Newswire)
12 Dec 22. Retired U.S. Army Cyber Command Leader Stephen Fogarty Joins Booz Allen Hamilton. Booz Allen Hamilton (NYSE: BAH) announced today that Stephen Fogarty—a retired lieutenant general with extensive cyber, intelligence, and information technology (IT) experience—has joined Booz Allen as a senior executive advisor. In this role, Fogarty will help lead the development of threat-informed defensive and offensive cyber strategies and solutions to expand the firm’s National Cyber capabilities in support of U.S. government and international mission partners. Fogarty brings 38 years of active duty leadership to this position having most recently served as commanding general of the U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER). In this role, he was responsible for conducting complex defensive and offensive cyber and information warfare operations worldwide. During his tenure, he led a skilled workforce of 16,500 soldiers, Department of the Army civilians, and contractors collaborating with other U.S. government, commercial, and international mission partners. Fogarty’s team conducted IT operations for 1.1 m soldiers and civilians at 188 bases, in addition to persistent defensive and offensive cyber and information warfare operations 24/7 worldwide. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
12 Dec 22. Columbia Helicopters (“Columbia” or the “Company”) announced today that Executive Vice President Michael Tremlett has been named President/CEO effective January 1, 2023, to replace current President/CEO Steve Bandy who is retiring at the end of the year. Mr. Bandy will remain on the Columbia Board of Directors as Vice Chairman to continue to support the Columbia team. Columbia is a portfolio company of AE Industrial Partners, a U.S.-based private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense & government services, space, power & utility services and specialty industrial markets. (Source: PR Newswire)
12 Dec 22. Spirent Federal Systems Announces New Leadership. The board of directors of Spirent Federal Systems, the leading provider of PNT test solutions for the US Government and contractors, is pleased to announce that Rob VanBrunt has been appointed as President/CEO-designate and will assume the role as soon as the onboarding process is complete. With over 30 years of leadership experience in engineering, product management, strategy, M&A, and senior management roles, Rob brings a broad set of operational experiences in growing and restructuring businesses. Prior to being named to his current position, Rob advanced through various vice president and management leadership roles with full P&L responsibilities at Spirent Communications, the leading global provider of automated test and assurance solutions for networks, cybersecurity, and positioning. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
13 Dec 22. Terran Orbital Corporation (NYSE: LLAP), a global leader in satellite-based solutions primarily serving the aerospace and defense industries, today announced the appointment of James Black as Senior Vice President and General Counsel. Mr. Black joins Terran Orbital following a two-decade career as a management-level attorney with broad in-house experience advising public company boards and executive officers on a variety of legal and strategic matters – specifically within the areas of aerospace and defense. Prior to Terran Orbital, Jim served as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel of the North American division of UK defense company Ultra Electronics and Chief Legal Officer at Osiris Therapeutics. Mr. Black also served as Director and Corporate Counsel at Northrop Grumman and Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at aerospace and defense company Orbital ATK. He began his aerospace and defense journey as Assistant General Counsel at satellite manufacturer Orbital Sciences Corporation. Jim started his career as an associate at Hogan & Hartson, now Hogan Lovells. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
16 Dec 22. Versori announced the appointment of Jon Naughton as its new Commercial Director. In this role, Jon will be responsible for overseeing the company’s high growth and building a team to deliver best-in-class enterprise integration solutions. Founded in 2021, Versori is creator of Switchboard, a leading platform provider of enterprise integration, data transformation and migration solutions, offering a range of products and services to help companies connect and integrate their systems and data. With an office in San Francisco and another in Manchester, Versori is well-positioned to serve the needs of a global client base.
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
16 Dec 22. Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced the appointment of Zaid Alami as the country managing director for PT Boeing Indonesia, effective immediately. Alami is based in Jakarta and serves as Boeing’s senior executive in the country, leading Boeing’s operations and growth strategy in Indonesia. He reports to Alexander Feldman, president, Boeing Southeast Asia. (Source: News Now/https://boeing.mediaroom.com/)
16 Dec 22. Elbit Systems Australia MD resigns. The company’s managing director has stepped down just months after the company announced a restructure. Elbit Systems of Australia (ELSA) has announced it has accepted the resignation of managing director, Major General (ret’d) Paul McLachlan AO CSC. MAJGEN McLachlan has reportedly requested to step down from 23 December 2022 after three years of service. The resignation comes two months after ELSA confirmed plans to “reorganise” the business as its work on Project LAND 200 Tranche 2 — which involves the delivery of a battle management system (BMS) and a tactical communications network — draws to a close. ELSA chair Dr Karen Stanton is set to assume the role of executive chair ahead of the appointment of a permanent replacement. (Source: Defence Connect)
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