LOCATIONS
LAND
21 Mar 23. Queensland Deputy Premier Hon. Steven Miles, today officially opened Northrop Grumman Australia’s (NYSE: NOC) newly-modernised Brisbane Maintenance and Modification Centre (BMMC), a major facility for the sustainment of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) aviation capability. In attendance were key RAAF stakeholders and Kathy Warden, chair, chief executive officer and president, Northrop Grumman and Christine Zeitz, general manager, Asia Pacific region, Northrop Grumman. Northrop Grumman’s $20m investment in the BMMC modernisation project created 300 local jobs, and directly involved over 500 people. The facility conducts continuous through life support to key RAAF fleets and will engage an ongoing Northrop Grumman Australia workforce of around 100 employees, with the new infrastructure capacity now allowing for a significant expansion.
“Queensland has cemented itself as a powerhouse for Australia’s Defence industry and our capabilities are quickly growing. Two thirds of the Australian Army operates out of Queensland and this is just another feather in our cap,” said Deputy Premier Miles. “Northrop Grumman Australia’s facility here in Brisbane is just another great example of the close collaboration between Defence and Australian Industry, supporting an important ADF capability, as well as providing significant investment and generating good, skilled jobs for the Queensland workforce”
“It’s been terrific to have the Deputy Premier open this strategically important facility, delivering sustainable support to the RAAF mission. Our sustainment and modernisation program is a key element of our on-going commitment and investment to the State,” said Christine Zeitz. “Northrop Grumman’s growing sustainment work at the BMMC has enabled us to establish an apprenticeship program providing a pipeline of skilled Queensland engineers underpinning the company’s ability to deliver Advanced Technology programs in the coming years. A world class skilled local workforce with genuine and attractive career options, in partnership with the Queensland Government, is a critical driver of future joint mission success.”
About BMMC
The facility provides support and maintenance to the RAAF’s six KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft, a versatile platform that is an operational refuelling tanker for a range of RAAF aircraft. The Multi Role Tanker Transport has supported a range of ADF missions, including Operation OKRA in the fight against Daesh, Operation Afghan Assist and the Regional Presence deployment with allied partners. It also supports the RAAF’s fleet of 10 C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, which have proved invaluable in the airlift of people, equipment and supplies in Australia and our near region. The Spartan provides a versatile and unique capability that is well matched to Australia’s strategic and humanitarian objectives in the South Pacific and Southeast Asia due to its ability to land on regional and unsealed airstrips. Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our 95,000 employees define possible every day.
MARITIME
21 Mar 23. Brunei commissions ex-Singapore Fearless-class patrol boat. The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) has commissioned the ex-Singapore Fearless-class patrol vessel it received on 15 March. The vessel, which has been renamed KDB As-Siddiq with pennant number 95, was commissioned on 21 March at the RBN’s naval base in Muara, Brunei. Janes first reported on 10 March that Brunei has agreed to receive two ex-Singapore Fearless-class patrol boats that were decommissioned by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in 2019 and 2020. As-Siddiq is the first of these two vessels, and it was handed over to the RBN on 15 March. It was formerly in service with the RSN as RSS Brave. A sister vessel is currently undergoing a transfer process and will be known in service with the RBN as KDB Al-Faruq. As-Siddiq and Al-Faruq are being transferred as a gift, and as a symbol of the close defence relations between the two smallest Southeast Asian countries. (Source: Janes)
21 Mar 23. Kawasaki delivers Taigei-class submarine Hakugei to Japan’s MoD. The new 84m-long submarine has been developed to provide enhanced submerged operation capabilities to JMSDF. Kawasaki Heavy Industries has handed over the second Taigei-class attack submarine, named JS Hakugei (SS-514), to the Japanese Ministry of Defense (MoD). Delivery of the submarine was marked by a ceremony held at the company’s Kobe Shipyard at Nishihama Quay on 20 March. The event was attended by several senior officials from Japan’s MoD. Hakugei is the 30th submarine built by the Kawasaki Kobe Shipyard after the Second World War. Launched in October 2021, JS Hakugei is an 84m-long submarine built to provide enhanced submerged operation capabilities to the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). Installed with lithium-ion battery systems, the new Taigei-class attack submarine will provide high water pressure resistance, increased stealth capabilities, improved propulsion performance and increased underwater endurance to Japanese forces. It also features SB-type diesel engines, an electric propulsion motor and underwater launch tubes, as well as different types of automated systems, sonar and improved surveillance solutions. In another development, announced by the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) on 20 March, US and Japanese maritime forces have carried out a ballistic missile defence exercise in the Sea of Japan. Conducted on 18 March, the bilateral activity saw the participation of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG-69) and JMSDF’s lead Atago-class warship JS Atago (DDG-177). The objective of this exercise, according to INDOPACOM’s statement, was to enhance interoperability between the two nations’ maritime forces, as well as to showcase and strengthen the US and Japan’s alliance. INDOPACOM’s statement added: “Our bilateral cooperation is reflective of our shared values and resolve to hold the line against those who challenge regional stability. We remain committed to peace and prosperity in the region to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.” (Source: naval-technology.com)
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
21 Mar 23. More Job Cuts Planned at AeroVironment Plant in San Francisco Bay Area. The AeroVironment plant in Petaluma, Sonoma County, California, that builds aerial drones for an East Coast defense and law enforcement contractor plans to trim its local workforce further than cuts disclosed earlier this year. In a March 6 state filing, AeroVironment said that it plans to permanently lay off 62 from its Petaluma location by May 6. This includes the 17 job cuts noted in a WARN Act filing last month would come by April 25, a spokesperson for the Arlington, Virginia-based company confirmed. The March 2nd statement reads: “With the recent shifting of U.S. DOD funding away from medium UAS company-owned, company-operated (COCO) operations, AeroVironment made the difficult decision to reduce the number of employees directly operating these sites located outside the U.S., along with some support staff. Approximately 80 employees were impacted across the organization, in both Petaluma, CA, and within our MUAS Field Service Organization.
“The outlook for the rest of AV’s business – including for our MUAS business outside of COCO services – remains strong with the recent selection of AV as one of the providers for FTUAS increment 2 program, and the award of a sale of systems as part of the U.S. Military Aid package to Ukraine.”
Altogether, the reductions include 30 drone operators, 22 mechanics, four on-site managers and one each for these roles: flight operations, field safety manager, program scheduler and standards operator, according to the filing.
These job cuts will reduce the Petaluma workforce to about half the 120 employees that a spokesperson said it had as of February.
As the company told the Business Journal in a statement about the first round of local cuts last week, the layoffs result from a recent shift by the Department of Defense away from funding company-owned, company-operated (known in the federal contracting world as COCO) medium-sized unmanned aerial systems, or MUAS, outside the U.S. That led to around 80 jobs being cut in Petaluma and in the company’s MUAS field service group.
The company early this month reported that MUAS revenue in its fiscal third quarter, ended Jan. 28, declined by $5.8m from a year before, while quarterly sales of small UAS jumped $45m.
In 2021, AeroVironment acquired Petaluma’s Arcturus UAV, a privately held provider of unmanned aircraft systems and services, for $405m, including $355m in cash and $50m in AeroVironment stock. Founded in 2004, Arcturus had about 270 employees at the time.
Some of AeroVironment’s drones are being used in Ukraine in it defense against Russia. AeroVironment is also the maker of the helicopter being used by NASA on Mars.
On March 6, the publicly traded drone maker reported a loss of $676,000 for the third quarter, but it was in the black for the same period last year. Revenues for this period were $134.4m. AeroVironment expects annual revenues to range between $510m and $525m. AeroVironment continues to be a favorite vendor of the federal government, which is a key reason the company moved its headquarters in 2021 from Southern California to be closer to the Washington, D.C., area. The Army’s selection of AeroVironment for the second part of the Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System program includes the Jump 20 vertical take-off and landing medium-sized UAS. Earlier this month, the company touted the use of the Jump 20 drone in the Ukraine–Russia conflict. (Source: UAS VISION/North Bay Business Journal)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
23 Mar 23. Pentagon selects Defense Innovation Unit director. The Pentagon has selected a new director to lead the Defense Innovation Unit and will announce its decision “very shortly.” The organization, which lead’s the U.S. Defense Department’s efforts to transition commercial technology for national security applications, has been without a formal leader since September. Deputy Director Michael Madsen has served in that role in an acting capacity since then. Under Secretary of Defense Heidi Shyu said during a March 23 House Armed Services Committee Cyber, Information Technologies and Innovation Subcommittee hearing that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will announce the director soon. Former DIU head Mike Brown announced last April he would step down from the role at the end of his four-year term, despite being offered an opportunity to stay another year. When he left, he cited frustration with a lack of support for the organization from Defense Department leadership. Shyu said during the hearing DIU plays an important role in connecting non-traditional companies with military customers, noting that the fiscal 2024 budget, released March 13, includes a “substantial increase” for the agency. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
22 Mar 23. USMC LG Michael S. Cederholm for reappointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California. Cederholm is currently serving as deputy commandant, Aviation, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C.
22 Mar 23. USMC MG Bradford J. Gering for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as deputy commandant, Aviation, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, D.C. Gering is currently serving as commanding general, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, San Diego, California.
22 Mar 23. USMC MG Gregory L. Masiello for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general, with assignment as director, Defense Contract Management Agency, Fort Lee, Virginia. Masiello is currently serving as a military deputy to the under secretary of defense for policy, Washington, D.C.
22 Mar 23. USN Rear Adm. Daniel L. Cheever for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, and assignment as commander, Naval Air Forces; and commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, San Diego, California. Cheever is currently serving as chief of staff, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
22 Mar 23. USN Rear Adm. James P. Downey for appointment to the grade of vice admiral, and assignment as commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C. Downey is currently serving as program executive officer for Aircraft Carriers, Washington, D.C.
22 Mar 23. USN Vice Adm. Daniel W. Dwyer for reappointment to the grade of vice admiral, and assignment as deputy chief of naval operations for Warfighting Development, N7, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C. Dwyer is currently serving as commander, Second Fleet; and commander, Joint Forces Command Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Curtis R. Bass for appointment to the grade of major general. Bass is currently serving as the vice commander, U.S. Warfare Center, Air Combat Command, Nellis USAF Base, Nevada.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Kenyon K. Bell for appointment to the grade of major general. Bell is currently serving as the director, Logistics and Engineering, Headquarters USAF Global Strike Command, Barksdale USAF Base, Louisiana.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Charles D. Bolton for appointment to the grade of major general. Bolton is currently serving as the chief, Global Operations Center, Headquarters U.S. Transportation Command, Scott USAF Base, Illinois.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Larry R. Broadwell Jr. for appointment to the grade of major general. Broadwell is currently serving as the deputy director, Operations, Operations Team-5, National Joint Operations and Intelligence Center, J-3, Joint Staff, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Scott A. Cain for appointment to the grade of major general. Cain is currently serving as the director, Air, Space and Cyberspace Operations, Headquarters USAF Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson USAF Base, Ohio.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Sean M. Choquette for appointment to the grade of major general. Choquette is currently serving as the vice commander, 12th USAF, Air Combat Command, Davis-Monthan USAF Base, Arizona.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Roy W. Collins for appointment to the grade of major general. Collins is currently serving as the director, Security Forces, Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics, Engineering and Force Protection, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG John R. Edwards for appointment to the grade of major general. Edwards is currently serving as the director, Strategic Capabilities Policy, National Security Council, Washington, D.C.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Jason T. Hinds for appointment to the grade of major general. Hinds is currently serving as the director, Plans, Programs, and Analyses, Headquarters U.S. USAFs Europe – USAFs Africa, Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Justin R. Hoffman for appointment to the grade of major general. Hoffman is currently serving as the director, Strategic Plans, Programs, and Requirements, Headquarters USAF Special Operations Command, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Stacy J. Huser for appointment to the grade of major general. Huser is currently serving as the principal assistant deputy administrator, Military Application, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Energy, Washington, D.C.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Matteo G. Martemucci for appointment to the grade of major general. Martemucci is currently serving as the director, Intelligence, J2, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG David A. Mineau for appointment to the grade of major general. Mineau is currently serving as the vice commander, 15th USAF, Air Combat Command, Shaw USAF Base, South Carolina.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Paul D. Moga for appointment to the grade of major general. Moga is currently serving as the commandants of cadets, U.S. USAF Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Ty W. Neuman for appointment to the grade of major general. Neuman is currently serving as the director, Concepts and Strategy, Deputy Chief of Staff, Strategy, Integration, and Requirements, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Christopher J. Niemi for appointment to the grade of major general. Niemi is currently serving as the director, Strategic Plans, Requirements, and Programs, Headquarters Pacific USAFs, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Brandon D. Parker for appointment to the grade of major general. Parker is currently serving as the chief of staff, Headquarters Pacific USAFs, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Michael T. Rawls for appointment to the grade of major general. Rawls is currently serving as the commander, USAF Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Headquarters U.S. USAF, Kirtland USAF Base, New Mexico.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Patrick S. Ryder for appointment to the grade of major general. Ryder is currently serving as the press secretary, Department of Defense, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG David G. Shoemaker for appointment to the grade of major general. Shoemaker is currently serving as the deputy director, Operations, J-3, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Rebecca J. Sonkiss for appointment to the grade of major general. Sonkiss is currently serving as the commander, 618th Air Operations Center, Air Mobility Command, Scott USAF Base, Illinois.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Claude K. Tudor Jr. for appointment to the grade of major general. Tudor is currently serving as the commanding general, Special Operations Joint Task Force – Levant, U.S. Special Operations Command, Xiphos, Jordan.
22 Mar 23. USAF BG Dale R. White for appointment to the grade of major general. White is currently serving as the program executive officer and director, Fighters and Advanced Aircraft, Headquarters USAF Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson USAF Base, Ohio.
20 Mar 23. MG Trevor J. Bredenkamp, chief, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Army, Washington, D.C., to commanding general, Military District of Washington, and commander, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region, Washington, D.C.
20 Mar 23. MG Edmond M. Brown, commanding general, Combat Capabilities Development Command, U.S. Army Futures Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, to chief of staff, U.S. Army Futures Command, Austin, Texas.
20 Mar 23. MG David A. Lesperance, commanding general, 2nd Infantry Division (Combined), Eighth Army, Republic of Korea, to director of operations, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea, Republic of Korea.
20 Mar 23. MG Thomas J. Tickner, deputy commanding general, Installation Management Command, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, to chief, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Army, Washington, D.C.
20 Mar 23. BG Steven L. Allen, director, J-4, U.S. Forces Korea, and deputy director, C/J-4, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command, Republic of Korea, to commandant, U.S. Army Ordnance School, U.S. Army Sustainment Center of Excellence, Fort Lee, Virginia.
20 Mar 23. BG Steven P. Carpenter, deputy commanding general (Maneuver), 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, to commanding general, 7th Army Training Command, U.S. Army Europe-Africa, Germany.
20 Mar 23. BG Martine S. Kidd, commanding general, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, to director, J-4, U.S. Forces Korea, and deputy director, C/J-4, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command, Republic of Korea.
20 Mar 23. BG Michael B. Lalor, commandant, U.S. Army Ordnance School, U.S. Army Sustainment Center of Excellence, Fort Lee, Virginia, to commanding general, U.S. Army Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command, Warren, Michigan.
20 Mar 23. BG Kevin J. Lambert, deputy commanding general (Maneuver), 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia, to deputy commanding general, V Corps, Germany.
20 Mar 23. BG Steven M. Marks, director of materiel, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C., to director, J8, Force Structure, Requirements, Resources and Strategic Assessments, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
20 Mar 23. BG Michael B. Siegl, commandant, U.S. Army Quartermaster School, U.S. Army Sustainment Center of Excellence, Fort Lee, Virginia, to director, J-4, U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
20 Mar 23. BG Eric S. Strong, director, CJ3, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Inherent Resolve, Iraq, to director, Force Management, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army, Washington, D.C.
Army Reserve
20 Mar 23. MG Dianne M. Del Rosso to commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 79th Theater Sustainment Command, Los Alamitos, California. She most recently served as assistant deputy chief of staff (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), G-4, Mobilization and Training, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, Washington, D.C.
20 Mar 23. MG Michael D. Roache, chief of staff (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to assistant deputy chief of staff, G-4 Mobilization and Training (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, Washington, D.C.
20 Mar 23. BG Stacy M. Babcock to chief of staff (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), U.S. Army Reserve Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She most recently served as deputy commanding general (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky.
20 Mar 23. BG Stephen P. Case to deputy commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 88th Readiness Division, Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He most recently served as deputy commander (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Operation Enduring Freedom-Horn of Africa, Djibouti.
20 Mar 23. BG Michael Dougherty, deputy commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 335th Signal Command, East Point, Georgia, to commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 86th Training Division, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin.
20 Mar 23. BG Stephanie Q. Howard, commander (Troop Program Unit), U.S. Army Reserve Sustainment Command, Birmingham, Alabama, to executive director (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Operational Contract Support, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, Washington, D.C.
20 Mar 23. BG Matthew N. Metzel to deputy commanding general for Operations (Troop Program Unit), 200th Military Police Command, Fort Meade, Maryland. He most recently served as director (Active Guard Reserve), War and Military Strategy-Reserve Component, U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.
20 Mar 23. BG Heather A. Reuter to commander (Troop Program Unit), Army Reserve Sustainment Command, Birmingham, Alabama. She most recently served as deputy commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 75th Innovation Command, Houston, Texas.
20 Mar 23. BG Tomika M. Seaberry to commander (Troop Program Unit), 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. She most recently served as garrison commander (Active Guard Reserve), U.S. Army Garrison Fort Buchanan, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.
20 Mar 23. BG Patricia R. Wallace to commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 80th Training Command (The Army School System), Richmond, Virginia. She most recently served as commanding general (Troop Program Unit), 91st Training Division (Operations), Fort Hunter Liggett, California.
INDUSTRY
21 Mar 23. Marshall Skills Academy expands to Canada with “earn as you learn” training programmes. Marshall has announced plans to introduce its industry-leading Skills Academy model in Canada and will launch initial suite of apprentice-style “earn as you learn” training programmes later this year to help address the looming skills gap in manufacturing and engineering in the province of New Brunswick. The new programmes are being run as a five-year pilot project in close partnership between Marshall Skills Academy Canada, New Brunswick Community College and University of New Brunswick Saint John, and are backed by almost CAD $7 m in support from the Government of New Brunswick. Representatives from each project partner gathered for an event to commemorate the launch of the pilot project on March 16th, 2023. The programmes will be targeted to high school students, underrepresented groups in the industry and those changing careers. Participants will be employed by an industry partner from the beginning and will take part in an initial block of learning at the start of each academic year, followed by a schedule of four days per week at work and one day in class at either of the supporting higher education institutions. Participants will have the opportunity to receive fully funded qualifications, relevant work experience and a salary whilst receiving full support throughout their journey. Meanwhile, participating organisations will grow their own talent pool with support from highly regarded education providers.
Four distinct programmes will be delivered under the partnership:
- Manufacturing Essentials (Micro-credential): An eight-week course giving a basic introduction to several trades
and opportunities to build employability skills.
- Advanced
Manufacturing Diploma: An 18-month course leading to a certificate at the technician level. There
is also a three-year option leading to a diploma at the technologist level.
- Bachelor of Applied Technology (Industrial): Participants complete a combination of in-person and virtual learning as well as tracking their on-the-job learning.
- Masters in systems engineering (Industrial): This course is aimed at domestic and international graduates who
have completed an applicable bachelor’s degree. International graduates will participate in a residential settling-in period for six weeks prior to the start of term.
Student enrolment over the five-year pilot project is expected to total 454 across the four programmes. These programmes—and the initiatives already being undertaken by Marshall Skills Academy in the UK—are
designed to help address severe impending skills shortages across the engineering sector. To that end, the
mission of Marshall Skills Academy has been to grow the Marshall Group’s talent pipeline through apprenticeships whilst using in-house expertise to help other employers by training their apprentices. In the UK this
year, Marshall Skills Academy is looking forward to welcoming a record number of apprentices from multiple employers.
Marshall Skills Academy General Manager Dan Edwards explains: “This is a really significant development for
Marshall Skills Academy as we establish our operation in Canada. The skills shortage in Canada is every bit as acute as elsewhere in the world and we have a fantastic opportunity in this new market to capitalise on our experience and expertise in delivering apprenticeship programmes in the UK and support the development of our new Land Systems business in the region. I am particularly excited to starting our journey in New Brunswick and am sure this will be the first of many such partnerships for Marshall Skills Academy Canada.”
Marshall previously announced plans for a new Land Systems manufacturing facility in Moncton, New Brunswick to support growing export demand for its range of deployable infrastructure which is due to open in the Summer.
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
22 Mar 23. AERALIS announces signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Aerogility. AERALIS™, the transformational British military jet developer, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with AI-based aviation decision support software specialist Aerogility, to evaluate opportunities for an aircraft service offering in the light fast jet defence market to support training and operational air support roles. The companies will work together to develop an AERALIS digital enterprise model that will aid in the development and sale of the AERALIS aircraft service and digital offering. AERALIS will access global markets and intends to deliver customer value and sales through reconfiguring fleets as part of enabling transformative flying training and operational air systems.
The MoU covers a range of Aerogility services, including proven capabilities in developing AI-based enterprise digital decision support solutions, focussing on optimising aircraft service whole-life costs and aircraft availability. This will help shape how the design of the AERSIDE™ system, common Integrated Logistics Support system, spares, and trained technicians utilised across a fleet of AERALIS variants will deliver significant benefits, maximising aircraft availability at a reduced cost.
This is a further partnership in a long sequence for the British jet developer with several companies building towards the ultimate delivery of the aircraft, including Thales UK, Atkins, Siemens, Martin-Baker and Hamble Aerostructures. AERALIS has also recently signed collaborative MoU’s with Ascent Flight Training and AirTanker marking a decisive step in the progress of the AERALIS jet’s development. The company is currently in Phase Two of a three-year contract with the Royal Air Force’s Rapid Capabilities Office, and most recently was awarded a £9m digital engineering contract from the UK Ministry of Defence to access AERALIS’ innovative digital engineering approach.
Aerogility works with major aerospace organisations spanning both civil and defence. Its software runs intelligent ’what-if’ analysis and detailed business simulations of a company’s operational performance. Aerogility helps companies make more informed business-critical decisions, delivering higher availability, lower costs and safer operations. Aerogility’s model-based AI uses intelligent agents to represent everything from aircraft and components to facilities and personnel.
Aerogility’s CEO, Gary Vickers, said: We are proud to partner with AERALIS, and we very much look forward to working with the AERALIS team and partners on the creation of an optimised Digital Enterprise Model of their future operation.
Aerogility will utilise its innovative and proven model-based AI capabilities to simulate the dynamics of the AERALIS entry into the market and disruption of legacy service offerings with this transformational aircraft. This is a perfect application of Aerogility’s powerful digital enterprise model technology. We are delighted with the opportunity to contribute our capabilities to forecast, plan, and optimise future strategies and operational options, and we are very much looking forward to working with the AERALIS team.
AERALIS’s founder & CEO Tristan Crawford commented:
“AERALIS is pleased to have signed this Memorandum of Understanding with Aerogility and looks forward to the unique opportunity of applying Aerogility’s AI expertise to the transformational service model that is enabled by our modular aircraft system design. Building on the strength of our current partnerships this MoU demonstrates that AERALIS will be working with the best-in-class in AI software to enhance our Digital Enterprise Model.”
22 Mar 23. SEA has signed a memorandum of understanding with Danish equipment provider SH Defence to explore the development of advanced modular solutions for future naval platform designs and retrofit projects. The partnership will be focused on incorporating SEA’s innovative technology, including its Agile Anti-Submarine Warfare system, KraitSense, and leading Torpedo Launcher Systems (TLS) into The Cube, an innovative modular system designed by SH Defence for hosting and deploying specialised equipment on naval platforms. The Cube System is a plug-and-play mission module for air, surface, and subsea domains, operated from a Cube-Ready platform. The system provides infrastructure to handle and move mission modules on deck or replace existing modules in the mission bay. It gives platforms multi-mission capability while also allowing more effective use of limited platform numbers. Retrofit or upgrades of existing platforms can also significantly extend fleet capability.
Guy Hope, Business Development Executive at SEA, said: “The future is modular. Adaptability is at the heart of next-generation maritime platform design for leading navies worldwide. Systems such as The Cube enable rapid mission reassignment that allow navies to effectively defend themselves against modern, complex, and changeable threats. SH Defence has signed agreements with many leading shipbuilders worldwide, making it the perfect partnership for us to explore how modular systems can enhance our protective technologies, such as the KraitSense and the TLS. We’re looking forward to collaborating closely with SH Defence to optimise our solutions to provide the maximum benefit for end users.”
Rene Bertelsen, Chief Executive Officer at SH Defence, said: “The Cube is fast becoming the leading modular system for navies, and we are constantly looking for suppliers of the most innovative naval technology to integrate with our system. In SEA, we have found a company whose solutions are well suited to The Cube due to their inherent flexibility and proven capability. We’re looking forward to working with the team to develop further Cube solutions.”
PERSONNEL
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
17 Mar 23. AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR), a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, announced today that John W. Dietrich has been elected to AAR’s Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mr. Dietrich is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings, Inc. (“Atlas”), a leading global provider of outsourced aircraft and aviation services, and serves as the Chairman of the National Defense Transportation Association.
22 Mar 23. Sumaria Systems, a leading provider of professional, technology, engineering, and management services to the U.S. Government, has announced the appointment of Bryan Bearden to Vice President, IT Services. As Vice President, Bryan will oversee the division’s strong operational culture and growth – delivering technology solutions that drive innovation and operational excellence throughout the customer base. (Source: PR Newswire)
REST OF THE WORLD APPOINTMENTS
17 Mar 23. 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, today announced the appointment of Mr. Ted Di Giorgio as Director of the Corporation and member of the Audit Committee. Mr. Di Giorgio recently retired as audit partner from Ernst & Young LLP after over three decades of service and is a recipient of the title of Fellow of l’Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec. His expertise led him to act as engagement leader for the audit of many large Québec-based publicly traded companies in different business sectors including the aerospace industry. Mr. Di Giorgio graduated from Concordia University and, throughout his career, has also served on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations. (Source: PR Newswire)