LOCATIONS
LAND
24 Feb 23. X-Bow Systems Announces Opening of New Luling, Texas Campus. X-Bow Systems Inc. (X-Bow), a new non-traditional small business defense supplier of solid rocket motors (SRMs) and defense technologies, announced today the official opening of its new 21st century commercial Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) manufacturing campus in Luling, Texas, just south of Austin. The expansion brings dozens of jobs to the area, with potential to significantly increase over the coming years. After a comprehensive, year-long search across multiple states, X-Bow plans to invest approximately $25 m of private capital developing the new campus over the next two years. X-Bow is converting and revitalizing a section of the former Caldwell County Carter Memorial Airport that was decommissioned last year. The site, which is already in use for rocket motor testing, further expands the company’s footprint and builds off the successful growth in New Mexico.
“Our new Texas campus will enable X-Bow to compete as a reliable, innovative, economical source for solid rocket motors as we expand our capacity to build, manufacture, test and fly.” says X-Bow Systems Chief Technical Officer Max Vozoff, “The X-Bow team is grateful for the enthusiastic support and continued collaborative working relationship with City of Luling and Caldwell County officials as we continue to grow our team locally, construct facilities and add capabilities at our Luling campus.”
Construction on the new facility began last year. A hangar and multiple solid rocket motor test pads have already been completed.
“We’re incredibly excited to welcome X-Bow Systems to our community. We know that X-Bow and it’s team will be a great addition to the City of Luling and we will continue to provide them with the support they need to build a great workforce and campus here,” said Caldwell County Judge Hoppy Haiden. “X-Bow will create new and diverse opportunities and a more industrial workforce for our community. We look forward to seeing what the future holds in the aerospace industry for X-Bow Systems, Luling, Caldwell County and the whole State of Texas.”
The United States solid rocket motor industry has consolidated from six to just two domestic manufacturers over the past few decades. Recent reports further suggest the consolidation and lack of competition has resulted in cost increases, long lead times, a lack of technological innovation, and an overall capacity reduction in our national industrial base. X-Bow’s entry into the industry, including its new campus in Texas, represents a welcomed change to the uncompetitive and diminished domestic supplier base for solid rocket motors. As a market-leading innovator in energetics and solid rocket motor manufacturing, X-Bow is able to provide an alternate source for existing motors as well as create new motors needed for emerging programs, as market needs dictate.
ABOUT X-BOW SYSTEMS
X-Bow Systems is disrupting the aerospace industry with innovative and cost-effective additively manufactured energetics for the solid rocket motor and launch vehicle market. X-Bow is also designing and building a suite of modular solid rocket motors and small launch vehicles for both orbital and suborbital launch services. X-Bow is led by CEO Jason Hundley, Chairman Mark Kaufman, CRO Maureen Gannon, CTO Max Vozoff, General Counsel John Leary and a growing team of seasoned industry veterans and new space entrepreneurs. Headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, X-Bow has additional presence in California, Alabama, Colorado, Texas, and Washington, DC. X-Bow is actively recruiting talented and determined individuals to join its team. For more information visit www.xbowsystems.com (Source: PR Newswire)
MARITIME
02 Mar 23. US SECNAV reveals name of Virginia-class submarine SSN 808. The future USS John H Dalton is one of the ten Virginia-class submarines to feature Block V upgrades. US Navy Secretary (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro has officially revealed the name of the future Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine SSN 808. The submarine has been named in the honour of the 70th US SECNAV John H Dalton. The announcement was made during the US Naval Academy’s Submarine Officer Selectee Dinner on 28 February.
Del Toro said: “I couldn’t be prouder to name this future submarine after John Dalton. He served as a proud submariner and as Secretary of the Navy, he took strong and principled stands against sexual assault and harassment and oversaw the integration of female sailors onto combat ships. The changes he drove almost thirty years ago are evident in all corners of our Navy today, with women serving on, above, and below the sea. A ship bearing his name brings strength to the crew who will undoubtedly operate it with the courage and dignity of John H Dalton.”
Dalton was a native of Louisiana and started his active naval duties in 1964. In 1969, Dalton left the US Navy service and began his career in private sector. He was nominated as the SECNAV in 1993 and held the same position until 1998. The future USS John H Dalton is one of the ten Virginia-class attack submarines to feature Block V upgrades. Vessels with hull number 802 to 811 will have this Block V configuration. In December last year, the US Navy authenticated the keel for the Virginia-class Block V submarine USS Arizona (SSN 803). It is currently under construction at General Dynamics Electric Boat’s Quonset Point facility in Rhode Island, US. (Source: naval-technology.com)
02 Mar 23. US Navy accepts delivery of ESB ship USNS John L Canley. The ESB platforms act as a critical infrastructure to support equipment supply and deployment of forces at the sea. The US Navy has taken the delivery of its fourth Lewis B Puller-class expeditionary sea base (ESB) ship, named USNS John L Canley (ESB 6).
The new vessel was handed over to the US Navy during a special signing ceremony at General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company’s (GD-NASSCO) shipyard in San Diego on 1 March.
Programme Executive Office, Ships Strategic and Theatre Sealift programme manager Tim Roberts said: “Today’s delivery highlights the strengths of the navy and our industry partners, working together to bring ESB 6 and its range of capabilities to the fleet.
“Sergeant Major Canley nobly served his country, and his namesake ship will help provide the warfighters with capability and access.”
GD-NASSCO began construction of the ESB 6 vessel in June 2020.
Christened in June last year, the new ship has been named to honour the former US Marine Corps (USMC) gunnery sergeant John L Canley.
The ESB platforms have been designed to act as a critical infrastructure to support the equipment supply and deployment of forces at the sea.
All vessels of this class are highly flexible and can be deployed to perform a wide range of military operations, such as Special Operations Force missions, airborne mine countermeasures, crisis response sea-basing, uncrewed aviation systems as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
Besides, the ESB ships can support MH-53E maritime helicopters on its flight deck that has four aviation operating spots.
The platforms feature a reconfigurable mission deck area, improved workspaces, including accommodations and ordnance storage space for onboard forces.
Currently, the company is working on the construction of the next ESB vessel of the same class, named USS Robert E Simanek (ESB 7). (Source: naval-technology.com)
28 Feb 23. Special mission subs unveiled. Two underwater special-mission craft were unveiled during the IDEX 2023 show, held in Abu Dhabi from 20 to 24 February. The futuristic-looking Kronos developed by the Emirati start-up Desert Power Designs/Highland Systems participated in the live demonstration at the NAVDEX naval area, with the company saying its craft’shydrodynamic hull gives it high surface and submerged speeds. Designed for military, research, rescue, and underwater engineering purposes, the Kronos is 9.03 m long, 7.43 m wide, and 2.09 m high, enabling it to carry 11 people, including the pilot. It has a diesel engine that gives it a top speed of 43 kt on the surface and a 1,200 hp electric motor for a submerged top speed of 27 kt, according to the company, which says it is designed to operate at a depth of 100 m, with 250 m listed as its critical depth, and that its batteries last for up to 18 hours. Additional features can include 360° night-vision cameras, a sonar system, six lightweight torpedoes, and a lock-out chamber that enables divers to leave the craft without flooding the cabin. (Source: Janes)
01 Mar.23. Costa Rica receives new NCPV to bolster maritime security. Shipbuilder Metal Shark recently delivered an 85 ft (25.9 m) welded aluminium Near Coastal Patrol Vessel (NCPV) to the Costa Rica Coast Guard, the Ministry of Public Security confirmed. The new vessel was acquired for USD5.5 m under a regional programme funded by the US Department of State and US Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) to enhance maritime security and counter-drug missions in the Caribbean and Central America. The programme, which has a value of USD54 m, calls for Metal Shark to build up to 13 Defiant-class aluminium vessels, which will be provided to US partner countries throughout the region. To date, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, and Guatemala have each received a single NCPV. Additionally, Metal Shark will supply electro-optic infrared sensors, diagnostic equipment, in-country reactivation, crew familiarisation, and test support to NCPV operators. (Source: Janes)
24 Feb 23. US Navy Christened Future USNS Cody. The Navy christened its Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport, the future USNS Cody (EPF 14), during a 10:00 a.m. ceremony Saturday, February 25, in Mobile, Ala. The Honorable Matt Hall, Mayor of Cody, Wyo., delivered the ceremonial principal address. Additional speakers include Vice Adm. Francis Morley, principal military deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition; The Honorable Greg Reed, president pro tempore of the Alabama state senate; Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham, Surgeon General of the Navy; Rear Adm. Michael Wettlaufer, commander, Military Sealift Command; Mr. Rusty Murdaugh, president, Austal USA; and Mr. Stan Kordana, vice president of Surface Systems, General Dynamics Mission Systems. In a time-honored Navy tradition, Averil Spencer, the ship’s sponsor, will christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow. Spencer is the daughter of the Honorable Richard V. Spencer, 76th Secretary of the Navy.
“This ship is the first to honor the city of Cody, Wyoming, a city that proudly embodies America’s independence and fighting spirit,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. “The future USNS Cody will also be the first Flight II configuration in its class, bringing enhanced medical capabilities in addition to its high-speed sealift mobility and agility. I look forward to the depth that this expeditionary fast transport will add to our fleet.”
The future USNS Cody will join the fleet as one of nearly 100 U.S. Navy ships operating globally each day ensuring freedom of the seas, protecting international law, and strengthening relationships with Allies and partners.
The Navy’s Military Sealift Command will operate the future USNS Cody, the first Flight II configured Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport (EPF). The ship is named in honor of Cody, Wyo., and is the first ship in naval service named after the city.
EPFs, formerly designated as Joint High Speed Vessels, are all-aluminum catamarans that provide high-speed, shallow-draft transportation capability to support the intra-theater maneuver of personnel, supplies, and equipment for the Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. EPFs enable the rapid projection, agile maneuver, and sustainment of forces in response to a wide range of military and civilian contingencies such as Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO), Humanitarian Assistance, and Disaster Relief (HADR). The Flight II ships will enhance the medical mission capability of the EPF’s mission portfolio. With an embarked medical unit, the Flight II EPF will have two operating rooms, the ability to support approximately 41 medical patients, and 147 embarked forces. Flight II EPFs will have an 11M RIB and MV-22 capability. (Source: US DoD)
AIR
02 Mar 23. Delivery Celebration Ceremony for First F-16 Block 70 in Greenville, South Carolina, to be Livestreamed. Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] has announced senior Bahraini, U.S. government, military and aerospace industry officials will soon celebrate the delivery of the first Royal Bahraini Air Force F-16 Block 70. The event, held 11 a.m. ET on Friday, March 10, marks a major milestone for the F-16 Block 70 program, demonstrating Lockheed Martin’s commitment to advancing the program and getting this much-needed aircraft and its advanced 21st Century Security capabilities to the warfighter. The ceremony, to include high-level speeches and the aircraft’s official reveal, will be livestreamed at the following link: Bahrain F-16 Block 70 Ceremony Event
About the F-16
This F-16 Block 70 jet is the first of 16 jets for Bahrain, and took its first flight on Jan. 24, 2023. From here, it will begin additional flight tests at Edwards Air Force Base before arriving in Bahrain in 2024.
Six countries have selected Block 70/72 aircraft. In addition to the current official backlog of 127 jets to-date to be built in Greenville, Jordan has signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for 12 jets and Lockheed Martin has received a contract to begin its long-lead activities. Bulgaria has also signed an LOA for an additional eight jets for its fleet. Once these are finalized, the backlog will increase to 147. See additional information: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/f-16.html
02 Mar 23. Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the AH-64 team are observing a unique milestone as the U.S. Army’s AH-64 Apache attack helicopters have officially reached five million flight hours. The accomplishment is equivalent to flying nonstop for more than 208,333 days or 570 years and nine months. Additionally, 1.3m of those five million flight hours were accomplished during combat.
“With more than five m flight hours, the Apache continues to be reliable, versatile and lethal,” said Katie Yursky, interim vice president of Attack Helicopter Programs and senior Mesa site executive. “Congratulations to the U.S. Army and its Apache aviators on reaching this incredible milestone. Every hour counts, and we look forward to supporting our soldiers on their next milestone and beyond.”
Since 1984 when the first AH-64 took flight, the U.S. Army has operated A, D and E-model Apaches. The U.S. Army currently operates D-model Apaches in addition to the AH-64E Apache.
“It is such a great privilege and an honor to be a part of the Apache program,” Col. John (Jay) Maher, U.S Army Apache Project Manager, said. “The five m flight hours milestone is a testament to the reliability and availability of the Apache in some of the world’s most demanding conditions. Supporting the Soldiers who fly and maintain the Apache is priority one.”
Boeing is upgrading the E-model to Version 6.5, which will include updated software, and integrating the Army’s new improved turbine engine. Additionally, the company announced the Modernized Apache in October 2022, a Boeing concept aligned with the U.S. Army’s future modernization efforts, keeping the AH-64 a relevant, multi-domain lethal combat-multiplier for U.S. warfighters and international customers.
Built by Boeing in Mesa, Ariz., the AH-64 is the attack aircraft of choice for 19 defense forces around the globe, with additional international interest. In September 2022, Poland announced the selection of Boeing’s AH-64E Apache for the Polish Armed Forces’ new attack helicopter fleet.
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
24 Feb 23. For New Engineers, DOD Has Many Opportunities. During this year’s National Engineers Week commemoration held at the Pentagon, the deputy undersecretary of defense for research and engineering explained some of the opportunities available to young engineers interested in supporting the nation’s defense.
“There is no more exciting or challenging place to work than in the Department of Defense,” said David Honey during a keynote address Thursday afternoon. “DOD is one of the world’s largest engineering organizations and employs more than 100,000 engineers. Here, engineers share a unique mission to advance cutting-edge engineering technology, systems and practices, and specializations that range from cyber and space to hypersonics and quantum science and more.”
For young engineers inserted in working for the Defense Department, Honey said there are a variety of opportunities they can take advantage of. One of those is the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Scholarship, also called the “SMART Scholarship.”
“This offers scholarships for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students currently pursuing a degree in one of 21 key STEM disciplines,” Honey said. “SMART scholars are selected, matched with a relevant DOD laboratory, and awarded a full-tuition scholarship.”
During the summer, Honey said, those students intern at that DOD lab, and after they graduate from school, they go to work at that same installation for a period of time that matches their scholarship.
“Our SMART scholars get a paid education and a great engineering position right out of college, which is a pretty good deal,” he said.
Another way to get involved as an engineer or as a student pursuing a degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics program, is though one of the department’s University Affiliated Research Centers, or UARCs.
A UARC is a DOD-supported non-profit research organization affiliated with a university that has a specific area of domain expertise or specialization and supports the long-term needs of the department.
Up until last month, there’d been only 14 UARCs. But in January, the department announced the creation of a new UARC, to be associated with Howard University in Washington.
“Just last month we were honored to help establish the department’s 15th UARC. This new UARC is at Howard University, and it is our first UARC at a historically black college or university,” Honey said. “This Air Force-sponsored UARC will focus on tactical autonomy, which will operate under a consortium model, with a number of other HBCUs supporting this effort.”
Also, an opportunity for young engineers to help support the nation’s defense is through the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship.
“This is the Department of Defense’s most prestigious single-investigator award and supports basic research with the potential for transformative impact,” Honey said.
The five-year fellowship, with as much as $3 m in funding, “supports new, out-of-the-box ideas where researcher creativity intersects with the unknown,” Honey said.
In 2022, nine individuals were able to take advantage of the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship. Honey said they work in areas such as semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence and quantum theory.
“I’d strongly encourage interested engineers to consider a career in the DOD,” Honey said. “The need is great, and the work is very rewarding. The world is becoming a challenging place, and the DOD’s need for sound, innovative engineering has never been greater. You’ll not only do interesting and exciting engineering tasks, but you’ll be a part of something important — because the work we do truly matters.” (Source: US DoD)
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
03 Mar 23. Mr Nic Bowler has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic in succession to Mr Charles Garrett OBE. Mr Bowler will take up his appointment during June 2023.
28 Feb 23. The Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO), the UK’s regulator of non-competitive defence contracts, has today announced the appointment of John Russell as its new Chief Executive. John will join the SSRO from Ofwat, where he is a Senior Director. He has widespread experience of high profile private and public sector roles in UK and global infrastructure sectors, including at H M Treasury, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Infrastructure UK, and Royal Dutch Shell. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
27 Feb 23. NASA has named Dawn Schaible the new deputy director of the agency’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, effective immediately. Schaible has served as Glenn’s acting deputy director since June 17, 2022. Before becoming Glenn’s acting deputy director, Schaible was director of the Engineering Directorate at NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. Prior to that, she served as NASA’s deputy chief engineer, where she helped lead the agency’s Office of the Chief Engineer in providing policy direction and assessment for the NASA engineering and program management communities. As a founding member of the NASA Engineering and Safety Center, Schaible helped establish its role in conducting independent engineering assessments to support critical NASA programs and projects. She previously spent 18 years at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, serving in several lead engineering positions for the Space Shuttle and International Space Station Programs. (Source: PR Newswire)
INDUSTRY
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
02 Mar 23. Astronics Corporation (Nasdaq: ATRO), a leading supplier of advanced technologies and products to the global aerospace and defense industries, today announced the appointment of Linda O’Brien to its Board of Directors, effective February 24, 2023. Ms. O’Brien is Vice President and Chief Engineer at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, a position she has held since 2021. She was originally employed by Lockheed/General Dynamics from 1986 to 2006, rejoining the company in 2016. She has held a variety of positions including Program Management Director and Deputy Vice President of ISR and Unmanned Systems, Engineering Director- Deputy to the Vice President of Engineering and Technology and Engineering Director- Chief Engineer of Advanced Pilot Training. Prior to Lockheed, Ms. O’Brien was a Senior Program Manager at Sikorsky Aircraft Company and Director of Commercial Programs for Bell Helicopter Textron. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
02 Mar 23. ATI Inc. (NYSE: ATI) today announced that Ruby Sharma has been appointed to the ATI Board of Directors. Sharma is a global business leader with cross-sector financial and audit committee expertise. She has a track record of strengthening regulator and investor relationships, and incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion with Fortune 500 multi-national corporations. Sharma served as Managing Partner of RNB Strategic Advisors from 2018 to 2022, where she guided public and private companies in executing organizational strategies and optimizing profitable growth. Prior to that, she was senior partner at Ernst & Young for 15 years until her retirement in 2017. She was a Principal for The Center for Board Matters at EY, having developed and built EY’s global strategy and execution infrastructure for governance services to boards and C-suites. (Source: PR Newswire)
02 Mar 23. The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] Board of Directors today announced that it has nominated Sabrina Soussan to be elected as a new director at the company’s upcoming annual meeting of shareholders. Soussan, 53, currently serves as chair and CEO of SUEZ SA, a Paris-based global utility company specializing in water and waste management with a focus on sustainability. Over a more than a 20-year career at Siemens AG, she held multiple leadership positions as Division CEO, Business Unit CEO and as an engineer in transportation, automation and energy management sectors. Prior to joining SUEZ, she was CEO of Swiss dormakaba, a global leader in access and security solutions.
01 Mar 23. Boeing [NYSE: BA] announced today that Greg Hyslop, the company’s chief engineer and executive vice president of Engineering, Test & Technology, will retire this June after a 41-year career that spanned Boeing’s aerospace and defense portfolio. Hyslop, who has been on Boeing’s Executive Council since 2016 and assumed the top engineering position in 2019, has worked to strengthen Boeing’s engineering function. He led the realignment of the company’s engineers under one organization, championed changes to empower engineers and instituted next-generation design practices. Howard McKenzie, the top engineer at Boeing’s commercial airplanes unit, succeeds Hyslop as chief engineer and executive vice president, Engineering, Test & Technology. Effective today, McKenzie takes over leadership of the company’s 57,000 engineers worldwide, overseeing all aspects of safety and technical integrity of Boeing products and services. McKenzie also assumes oversight of Boeing’s technology vision, strategy and investment, while reporting to Calhoun and joining the company’s executive council. Prior to his recent role at Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA), McKenzie was vice president and chief engineer of Boeing Global Services, the company’s services and support business. A 35-year veteran of the company, McKenzie has also served as vice president of Boeing Test & Evaluation, the group responsible for testing, evaluating and certifying new products. David Loffing, chief program engineer of Boeing’s new 777X airplane, takes over as vice president and chief engineer of BCA. Loffing has held roles of increasing responsibility since joining Boeing nearly 20 years ago, with engineering leadership positions across the company’s single- and twin-aisle jet families and future airplane concepts. Greg Hyslop will support the leadership transition through June as he assumes the role of chief engineer emeritus, reporting to Calhoun. He will assist with program management, leadership development and university relations efforts.
28 Feb 23. Karman Space & Defense (“Karman”), an integrated concept-to-production solutions provider for mission-critical systems, including crewed-space flight and hypersonic missions, announced today the formation of its Board of Advisors. The Board is comprised of leading industry experts that will support the executive management team, through strategic guidance and technical analysis. A highly distinguished defense professional will join the board in the following months and be publicly announced.The Karman Space & Defense Advisory Board Members announced today are:
- Anthony “Tony” Antonelli – NASA Astronaut, US Navy (ret.)
Retired Astronaut, Naval Aviator and Test Pilot, with engineering degrees from MIT and University of Washington. Antonelli has accumulated over 4,700 flight hours in over 40 different kinds of aircraft and has completed 273 carrier arrested landings. He served as the Pilot for two Space Shuttle Missions, STS-119 and STS-132. After retiring from NASA, he worked at Lockheed Martin in various Executive roles including Chief Technologist and Director of Advanced Programs and Artemis II Mission Director for the Orion Program Office.
- Rich Choppa – Lieutenant Colonel, US Army (ret.)
President of DellaCioppa Inc., an Aerospace and Defense Consulting firm, providing expertise in leadership, program management and operations, business development and sales, talent management, strategic and organizational planning. Choppa retired after 17 years as an executive at Boeing, most recently as Program Director for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Sustainment Programs and former Senior Director of Global Sales and Marketing for the company’s Missile & Weapons Systems division. He served 21 years in the U.S. Army, starting as a private and retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. He served as a forward observer, fire support officer and commander in Ranger and Airborne units with multiple worldwide deployments.
- Jack Czerwinski – Government Affairs
Founder and president of Reston Strategy Group “RSG,” a successful government affairs and strategic business consulting firm located in Northern Virginia. Czerwinski has extensive experience with the Congressional appropriations process and focuses on the aerospace, defense, and technology sectors. Before moving to the private sector, Czerwinski served as Appropriations Legislative Assistant to Virginia Congressman Frank R. Wolf (VA-10), who served as Chairman of the House Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations Subcommittee with oversight and funding jurisdiction over NASA, DOJ, the FBI and other federal agencies. (Source: PR Newswire)
24 Feb 23. L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) today announced that retired Air Force General Edward A. Rice, Jr., former commander of the U.S. Air Force Air Education and Training Command, has been elected to its Board of Directors. Across his 35-year Air Force career, Rice served with distinction as a general officer, including commanding U.S. Forces Japan and 5th Air Force, serving as vice commander of Pacific Air Forces, and serving as commander of 13th Air Force. Rice, 66, earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the U.S. Air Force Academy, a master’s degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a master’s degree in national security policy studies from the U.S. Naval War College. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
27 Feb 23. Defense contractor Leidos said its board of directors selected Thomas Bell, president of Rolls-Royce’s defense unit and chairman and chief executive of Rolls-Royce North America, to be the U.S. company’s next CEO. Bell takes up the post May 3, Leidos said in a statement Monday. He will succeed Roger Krone, who is retiring. After Krone’s retirement, Leidos plans to split up the two roles he once had. Leidos said its board expects to appoint Shapard to be an independent, nonexecutive chair after this stockholder meeting. Krone, who has led Leidos as CEO since 2014, will stay on as an adviser through July “to facilitate a seamless leadership transition,” the company said. Shapard thanked Krone for his work guiding the company and praised him for its growth over the years. (Source: Defense News)
02 Mar 23. Mercury Systems, Inc., (NASDAQ: MRCY, www.mrcy.com), a technology company that delivers processing power for the most demanding aerospace and defense missions, today announced the appointment of Christine Fox Harbison as Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer, effective March 6, 2023. Reporting to Mercury CEO Mark Aslett, Harbison will be responsible for executing the company’s growth strategy, driving enterprise-level capture and proposal efforts, leading strategic account management, and developing global technology partnerships and initiatives. Harbison joins the company from Northrop Grumman’s Defense Systems sector, where she served as Vice President and General Manager of the Combat Systems and Mission Readiness division. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Northrop Grumman’s Advanced Ground Sensors business unit and held roles of increasing importance at Raytheon Company. Harbison holds an M.S. in computer science from Old Dominion University and a B.S. in computer science and mathematics from the University of Maine. She is an active member of The Forum for Executive Women, the Women in Defense Organization, and the National Defense Industrial Association.
01 Mar 23. Moog Inc. (NYSE: MOG.A and MOG.B) has announced several executive leadership changes that are effective immediately. These changes were announced in a filing with the SEC on February 9, 2023. The Board of Directors has elected Mark Trabert as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Previously Mr. Trabert served as Vice President and President, Aircraft. He replaces Pat Roche who became the Company’s Chief Executive Officer effective February 1, 2023.
Maureen Athoe, Vice President and President, Space and Defense is retiring after a 39-year career with the company. Ms. Athoe will support a smooth transition over the next few months. Coinciding with these changes, Moog’s Board of Directors elected the following new corporate officers of the company:
- Joseph Alfieri was elected Vice President and President, Space and Defense, succeeding Ms. Athoe. Mr. Alfieri was previously the Group Vice President and General Manager of the Company’s mobile machinery business.
- Mark Graczyk was elected Vice President and President, Military Aircraft. Mr. Graczyk was previously the Group Vice President and Chief Business Officer for Aircraft Controls.
- Michael Schaff was elected Vice President and President, Commercial Aircraft. Mr. Schaff was previously the Group Vice President and General Manager of the Commercial Aircraft sector. ,(Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
02 Mar 23. NorthStar Earth & Space Inc. (“NorthStar”), the first commercial enterprise to offer complete active Space Situational Awareness (SSA) services to monitor all near-Earth orbits from space, is proud to announce the appointment of David Saint-Germain to the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). David will be primarily responsible for delivering NorthStar information services & products to the market through a fully integrated global enterprise with locations in US, Luxembourg, and Canada. (Source: PR Newswire)