VACANCIES
04 Oct 23. Aerospace company Airbus has announced plans to recruit an additional 1,100 people in the UK. With more than 25 sites across the UK, Airbus is the largest civil aerospace company in the country, the biggest civil aerospace exporter, the largest space satellite company, the biggest supplier of large aircraft to the Royal Air Force and responsible for around 50% of the UK’s civil helicopter fleet.
New positions would include cyber security engineers, software engineers, project & programme managers among other roles.
The announcement comes as part of Airbus’ latest Oxford Economics survey, which outlines the company’s contribution to the UK, as well as its role in supporting direct and indirect employment across the wider aerospace and defence supply chain.
Airbus already employs 11,500 people in the UK – out of a global staff of 134,000 – and makes the wings for all its aeroplanes here. It has major bases in Filton, near Bristol, and Broughton, in North Wales, and a large centre that focuses on space work in Portsmouth.
In Portsmouth, Airbus employs over 1,100 people in highly skilled jobs at Airbus Defence & Space site, a major space hub and global centre for satellite payloads. It is also one of the proposed sites for the UK’s next generation of MilSatCom through the Skynet Enduring capability programme, a project that Airbus is actively bidding for.
Airbus invested £277m in research & development in the UK last year, and the creation of 1,100 jobs would be a boon for the sector. More than 400,000 people work in the aerospace and defence industries in the UK, according to industry body ADS. (Source: Google/https://www.recruiter.co.uk/)
25 Sep 23. Drone Delivery Canada seeks Regulatory and Compliance specialist – drone operations. Drone Delivery Canada has a vacancy for a Safety, Regulatory and Compliance Specialist. The role will be part of the Safety & Compliance department.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Manages the organization’s overall Safety Management System (SMS) by conducting investigations, supporting root cause assessments, developing corrective action plans, and ensuring assigned task completion
- Leads incident/accident investigation and prepares reports
- Communicates with incident/accident report submitters and/or department managers, as required, to enable event and hazard classification
- Manages SMS records in the safety database (entering reports, creating occurrence records, acknowledging report submitters, updating occurrence records, etc.)
- Leads further development of training curriculum and training documents for flight operational staff
- Leads the development of recurrent safety training programs
- Leads the development of crew resource management and fatigue management programs
- Conducts safety risk analysis and fault tree assessments for flight test activities and regulatory compliance
- Ensures all regulatory documentations are kept current and updated
- Maintains the DDC Corporate Emergency Response Plan, including processes, roles, responsibilities, and communication/notification protocols
- Supports the sales team in evaluating potential flight route options and DroneSpot locations, based on regulatory compliance and customer requirements
- Develops documentation related to new operations, as required
- Other duties as assigned/required from time to time.
Apply here: https://dronedeliverycanada.bamboohr.com/careers/152
For more information visit: www.dronedeliverycanada.com
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
LOCATIONS
LAND
06 Oct 23. Air2030: Construction Projects for the F-35A in Payerne in the Plan Approval Procedure Phase. Construction measures are planned at air bases for the new F-35A combat aircraft. At the Payerne site (FR/VD), the plan approval procedure is now beginning for a new training center and other infrastructure adaptations. Documents relating to the project can be consulted from October 6, 2023 to November 6, 2023 in the municipalities of Payerne (VD), Estavayer (FR) and Grandcour (VD).
The new F-35A fighter jets, which will arrive in Switzerland from mid-2028, will be operated at the Payerne, Meiringen and Emmen air bases. As the dimensions of the F-35A are comparable to those of the F/A-18 Hornet, much of the existing real estate infrastructure can be reused for the new aircraft. However, adaptations will be required to the training infrastructure, technical installations and security devices. For these construction measures, Parliament granted a commitment credit of 120 m francs in 2022. This amount takes into account a cost uncertainty of 20 m francs.
Public inquiry into the construction project in Payerne
For this construction project at Payerne air base, the approval procedure for military construction plans is now beginning. In the municipalities of Payerne, Estavayer and Grandcour, application files are available from October 6, 2023 to November 6, 2023 for consultation. The population and municipalities are thus given the opportunity to express themselves on these plans.
For the Meiringen and Emmen air bases, the application documents for the military plan approval procedure will also be made public at a later date. The DDPS will inform about this.
Payerne: a new training center and other adaptations
The construction project at Payerne air base provides for a new training center for the F-35A which will bring together training facilities such as flight simulators or educational tools for ground personnel. The construction of two new buildings will be necessary. Too small to accommodate all these installations, the building currently assigned to the F/A-18 Hornet simulators will no longer be used.
The new training center will be used and operated by the Air Force. The building will also house the system planning and engagement rooms needed for the F-35A. Adaptation to the new type of aircraft will also be necessary in the aviation caverns and installations in the boxes, in the maintenance hall and in the workshop building. The roofs of the new buildings will be largely green and equipped with photovoltaic modules which will produce nearly 989,200 kilowatt hours of electricity per year.
Over the last 10 years, more than 400m francs have been invested in the Payerne air base. In the next 10 years, the DDPS will invest, according to plan, around 250m francs in the renewal of the Payerne site, for example for construction measures for the new F-35A combat aircraft, for the new joint construction of the West military police and the medical center, for the new administrative complex and for the sanitation of flight surfaces.
Meiringen: adaptation of parking spaces, premises and alarm shelters
In Meiringen, the adaptations mainly concern the technical installations of the aircraft parking spaces and the system planning and engagement rooms. Construction measures are also necessary for alarm shelters. According to current planning, the construction measures will be implemented from 2025.
In the years up to 2029, investments totaling 68 m francs are planned at Meiringen Air Base. Some 41 m francs have already been invested in the years 2015 to 2021 for maintenance and new buildings.
Emmen: new building and adaptation of the halls
At Emmen Air Base, a new building will be constructed to house the system planning and engagement rooms. Furthermore, the existing halls will be adapted to the new aircraft. The construction process is planned to begin in 2025.
For the Emmen air base, total investments of 114m francs are planned until the year 2029. Some 126m francs have already been invested in 2015 to 2021.
Separate information meetings regarding the noise situation
The consequences of the F-35A on the noise situation are not the subject of this plan approval procedure at Payerne. To this end, the DDPS will organize information meetings in December 2023 in Payerne, Meiringen and Emmen.
The DDPS is committed to keeping noise exposure as low as possible. To this end, the project team, together with the aircraft manufacturer and the Federal Materials Testing and Research Laboratory (EMPA), analyzed the effect of different flight trajectories on noise immissions. The results of these noise calculations will be presented to the municipalities during the aforementioned information meetings. The DDPS is pleased to continue the open dialogue with the cantons and municipalities of the air bases.
(Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com)(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Swiss Ministry of Defense, Civil Protection and Sport)
MARITIME
06 Oct 23. Naval Group Launches First FDI Frigate for Greece. Naval Group Launches the Frigate HS Kimon, First FDI for the Hellenic Navy. On October 4, 2023, the launching ceremony of the first Greek FDI Hellenic Ship (HS) Kimon took place on the Naval Group site in Lorient.
The launching ceremony took place in the presence of Sébastien Lecornu, French minister of the Armed Forces, and his Greek counterpart, Nikolaos Dendias. The French Delegate-General for Armaments and his Greek counterpart, as well as the chiefs of staff of the French and Greek navies also attended the ceremony.
“It is an honor for Naval Group that Greece has chosen the FDI frigates to renew its combat fleet for the Hellenic Navy. This launch is a new important step in our cooperation with Greece, which marks the symbolic birth of the frigate HS KIMON and its first contact with the sea. It is also a concrete illustration of Naval’s commitment Group to support sustainable industrial cooperation with Greek industry, which is strengthening day by day. Naval Group is proud to move forward with all its French and Greek partners in this great FDI adventure” declared Pierre Éric Pommellet, Chairman and CEO of Naval Group.
The launch of the frigate HS Kimon is a major industrial and symbolic stage of FDI program for the Hellenic Navy. The contract for the acquisition of three frigates, plus one optional was signed with Greece on March 24, 2022. The three frigates are currently being production.
The first block pre-equipped with the second unit HS Nearchos has just been transferred in the dry dock for docking, and the first cutting of sheet metal for the third frigate HS Formion took place on July 12, 2023. Next steps for HS Kimon are the first sea exit planned for 2024, and delivery in 2025.
This event also highlights the success of strong and long-term industrial cooperation between France and Greece, since many Greek industrialists are fully integrated into the Naval Group supply chain and were present in Lorient during the ceremony.
An innovative, powerful and digital frigate
The FDI HS Kimon is a 4,500-ton ocean-going warship. Versatile and resilient, it has high-level capabilities in all areas of naval combat: anti-ship, anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and special forces projection, with unique capabilities against asymmetric threats, and it benefits from the latest innovations from Thales in terms of radar, sonar and electronic warfare.
Heavily armed (MBDA anti-surface Exocet MM40 B3C and Aster anti-aircraft missiles, systems RAM, MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes, artillery), the frigate HS Kimon boards simultaneously a helicopter and an aerial drone (UAV) capability.
It also benefits from the expertise of Thales, MBDA, and all our other partners and subcontractors.
FDI Technical Specifications: HS Kimon:
— Displacement: 4,500 tonnes
— Length: approximately 122 meters
— Width: 18 meters
— Maximum speed: 27 knots
— Aerial means: 10-ton class helicopter, VTOL unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Main armaments of the FD HS Kimon:
— 32 Aster missiles developed by MBDA
— 8 Exocet MM40 B3C missiles developed by MBDA
— RAM missiles
— MU 90 torpedoes developed by Naval Group
— 76mm cannon
— 4 torpedo tubes
— CANTO countermeasures developed by Naval Group
An international player in naval defense and heir to French naval know-how, Naval Group develops innovative solutions to meet the needs of navies. Present throughout the entire life cycle of the ships, the group designs, builds, integrates and maintains submarines and surface ships, as well as their systems and equipment, through to dismantling. It also provides services for shipyards and naval bases. With operations on five continents, the group has a turnover of 4.3bn euros and employs 16,029 people (full-time equivalents / 2022 data).
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Naval Group)
06 Oct 23. USN Commissioned Future Guided-Missile Destroyer USS Jack H. Lucas. The US Navy commissioned the future USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) as the newest Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, at Port Tampa Bay, Berth 150, Tampa, Florida.
The Honorable Erik Raven, under secretary of the Navy, delivered the commissioning ceremony’s principal address. Remarks were also provided by the Honorable Kathy Castor, U.S. representative, Florida’s 14th District; Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command; Sgt. Maj. Carlos Ruiz, Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps; the Honorable Jane Castor, mayor of Tampa, Florida; and Ms. Kari Wilkinson, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding and executive vice president, HII. The ship’s sponsors are Ruby Lucas, widow of the ship’s namesake, and philanthropist Catherine B. Reynolds.
DDG 125 is the 73rd Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer to be commissioned and the first in the Flight III configuration. She is the first naval warship to bear the name of USS Jack H. Lucas. USS Jack H. Lucas received its name on Sept. 17, 2016. DDG 125 is named for Pfc. Jack Lucas, who served in the U.S. Marines during World War II, earning the Medal of Honor for his heroism at Iwo Jima, when he was just 17 years old. Lucas was the youngest Marine and youngest serviceman in World War II to be awarded the United States’ highest military decoration for valor. In 1961, he returned to military service as a captain in the U.S. Army and trained younger troops headed for Vietnam. Lucas passed away on Jun. 5, 2008, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The selection of Jack H. Lucas is a constant reminder of the immense impact that actions taken by any sailor or marine can truly have.
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet. These highly capable, multi-mission ships conduct various operations, from peacetime presence to national security. DDGs provide a wide range of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, surface, and subsurface environments.
USS Stethem (DDG 63), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Dewey (DDG 105), USS Rafael Peralta (DDG 115), USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), USS Paul Ignatius (117), USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), and USS Momsen (DDG 92) are currently deployed overseas. These deployed Arleigh Burke-class destroyers contribute to various manned, unmanned, joint and maritime operations in support of operational commanders’ strategic vision. (Source: U.S. DoD)
06 Oct 23. Brazilian Navy Cuts First Steel for Future Nuclear-Powered Submarine. On Wednesday (4), the Brazilian Navy (MB) held the Cutting Ceremony of the First Sheet of the Qualification Section of the Conventionally Armed Submarine with Nuclear Propulsion (SCPN), at the Itaguaí Naval Complex (CNI). The event, held by the Navy’s General Directorate of Nuclear and Technological Development (DGDNTM), represents a significant milestone in the SCPN’s construction process.
Presided by the Director General of Nuclear and Technological Development of the Navy, Admiral Petronio Augusto Siqueira de Aguiar, the ceremony was attended by Admirals Flávio Augusto Viana Rocha and Alexandre Rabello de Faria, and marked the beginning of the construction of the structure which makes up the so-called Qualification Section. The event was also attended by civil and military authorities, as well as representatives from the nuclear, academic and business sectors.
The manager of the Modular Submarine Procurement Project, Rear Admiral (EN) Marcio Ximenes Virgínio da Silva, explained that, although the Qualification Section will not be part of the submarine, it is essential to allow the approval of the construction process and, therefore, consequently, the certification of the Shipyard for the construction of the naval environment.
“The first cut of the sheets aimed at making souls – which will form a series of caves that will be joined to the plating – will make up the subsections and, finally, the Qualification Section. The approval process involves other activities in addition to those directly linked to the core activities, such as movement between each workstation and the analysis of difficulties intrinsic to the processes, considering the weight of this section – approximately one hundred tons.
“The Qualification section will make it possible to assess the capacity, unique in the southern hemisphere, of building a Conventionally Armed Submarine with Nuclear Propulsion. Thus, this moment marks the beginning of the shipyard’s search for its qualification with the construction process to be approved, in order to allow the beginning of construction of the Submarine in the future”, said Rear Admiral (EN) Ximenes.
The SCPN, the main objective of the Submarine Development Program, is the Navy’s most ambitious strategic program, as it enables the country to design and build conventional and nuclear-powered submarines, having as its main basis the transfer of technology, the nationalization of equipment and systems, as well as staff training, in addition to contributing significantly to the creation of thousands of jobs.
At the moment, the project involves around 1,500 workers, including military and civilian personnel. The program, however, has the capacity to generate up to 24 thousand direct jobs and 40 thousand indirect jobs.
During the event, the president of Itaguaí Construções Navais (ICN), Renaud Poyet, highlighted the satisfaction of being part of this day together with all those responsible for achieving this great achievement. “Brazil is taking a step that will raise our technology to the level of countries like France, the United States, China, England and Russia. And the Brazilian Navy, in command of this modern submarine, will have all the conditions to protect the vast Brazilian coastline”, said President Poyet.
The Director General of Nuclear and Technological Development of the Navy, Admiral Petronio Augusto Siqueira de Aguiar, accompanied by the President of ICN and the General Coordinator of the Nuclear Propelled Submarine Development Program, Vice Admiral (Reserve Naval Engineer) Sydney dos Santos Neves, activated the cutting device, starting the new construction stage.
First cutting of the steel plates
Afterwards, Admiral Petronio highlighted the extraordinary technological leap that the Program represents for Brazil, contributing substantially to the defense sector reaching a relevant strategic level to benefit the legitimate interests of the Brazilian State. “We sail, duly qualified, towards the achievement of a dream, the Conventionally Armed Submarine with Nuclear Propulsion, a legitimate aspiration for a Country with a vocation to guarantee its sovereignty, defend its wealth and its people”, he stated.
Welder Danusa Morais comments that she feels extremely proud to be part of PROSUB. “We were trained here at CNI as the welding that will be used at SCPN requires specific training and high quality.”
According to Dr. Inayá Corrêa Barbosa Lima, Professor of the Nuclear Engineering course at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (PEN/COPPE/UFRJ), the participation of universities and research institutes in PROSUB activities ensures the dissemination of knowledge of the nuclear sector in the country, enabling the retention of intellectual capital, avoiding the “brain drain” of the Brazilian nation”. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Brazilian Navy)
02 Oct 23. RoK Firm to Deliver Philippines’ First Missile Corvette in 2025. South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) said one of the two missile corvettes ordered by the Philippine Navy (PN) will be delivered by 2025 with the second in the following year.
“We plan to deliver the first corvette by 2025 and the second corvette by 2026. HHI is on track for the target delivery dates as the construction of the vessels are on time,” the company said in reply to the Philippine News Agency’s (PNA) questions over the weekend regarding the progress of the two naval craft.
HHI added that the work schedule for the corvettes proceeded on schedule as construction started this May.
“For the first corvette, the work commenced according to (the) original planned scheduled schedule of May 2023 and the first block will be laid by November this year,” the South Korean shipbuilder emphasized.
HHI was referring to the steel cutting which is considered in naval circles as the start of the construction of a warship.
It also added that construction for the second corvette will start this November.
The Department of National Defense (DND) signed a PHP 28-bn contract with HHI for the acquisition of two brand-new corvettes for the PN on Dec. 27, 2021. The corvettes are capable of anti-ship, anti-submarine, and anti-air warfare missions and will be more heavily armed than the Jose Rizal-class frigates. These ships will backstop the two Navy’s Jose Rizal-class frigates, also constructed by HHI. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Philippine News Agency)
29 Sep 23. USN to Commission Future Littoral Combat Ship Augusta. The Navy will commission the future USS Augusta (LCS 34) as the newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) during a 10:00 a.m. EST ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 30, in Eastport, Maine.
The Honorable Jared Golden, U.S. Representative, Maine’s 2nd District, will address the ceremony via recorded remarks. Remarks will also be provided by Vice Admiral John Fuller, Naval Inspector General; Rear Adm. James Downey, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition; the Honorable Mark O’Brien, Mayor of Augusta, Maine; the Honorable Chris Gardner, Director of the Eastport Port Authority and Washington County Maine Commissioner; and Mr. Larry Ryder, Vice President of Business Development, and External Affairs, Austal USA. The ship’s sponsor is the Honorable Leigh Saufley, President and Dean of University of Maine School of Law and former Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
LCS 34 is the 17th Independent-variant LCS, the 33rd in the class. She is the second naval warship named for the city of Augusta, Maine. LCS 34 continues the legacy of USS Augusta (SSN 710), a Los Angeles-class submarine that was in active service for 24 years and decommissioned on February 11, 2009.
The selection of Augusta as the ship’s namesake, the easternmost state capital in the U.S., recognizes the value of Maine’s maritime history and landscape. The state’s rugged Atlantic coast is home to fishermen, lobstermen, and a thriving maritime industry that is testament to Maine’s enduring contributions to the nation.
The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom and the Independence, designed and built by two industry teams. Lockheed Martin leads the Freedom-variant team, the odd-numbered hulls, in Marinette, Wisconsin. Austal USA leads the Independence-variant team in Mobile, Alabama, for LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls.
Littoral combat ships are fast, optimally-manned, mission-tailored surface combatants that operate in near-shore and open-ocean environments, winning against 21st-century coastal threats. LCS integrate with joint, combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward-presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence missions around the globe. (Source: U.S. DoD)
AIR
06 Oct 23. France’s DGA Takes Delivery of 150th Rafale C Fighter. The DGA Receives 150th Rafale C. The Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) took delivery of the single-seat Rafale C 150 on September 21 at the Dassault Aviation site in Mérignac. The aircraft was transported to the military air expertise center at Mont-de Marsan air base 118 on September 28 to be upgraded to the F4.1 standard. It will then participate in an experimental campaign.
This new F4.1 standard brings major capability developments in the field of collaborative air combat. This includes the integration of the SCORPION helmet-mounted sight*, improvements in fire controls to operate the Meteor air-to-air missile, improved passive threat detection algorithms, as well as increased capabilities for data exchanges.
The F4.1 standard also allows the integration of the 1,000 kg AASM weapon with GPS/laser guidance, greater protection against cyber threats, new functions for the Talios, OSF and RBE2 sensors, and initial developments in the field of connectivity.
All Rafales of the Air and Space Force and the French Navy will gradually be retrofitted to this new standard.
This is the 5th example of a batch of 40 aircraft planned to be delivered by the end of 2025, including thirteen to the Air and Space Force in 2023.
* A helmet viewfinder displays, on the visor of the pilot’s helmet, information needed for piloting, navigation or carrying out the mission. It allows him to monitor his environment at the same time as information provided by his on-board instruments, and to direct his head towards the target he wants to designate for his weapons (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ French Directorate General of Armament)
03 Oct 23. Historic moment as Croatia receives its first Rafale fighter aircraft. Croatia takes the delivery of the Nato-compatible Rafale aircraft in a landmark ceremony. In a historic event at the Mont-de-Marsan Air Base, Croatia officially acquired its first Rafale multirole combat aircraft, marking a milestone in its capabilities. The acquisition of 12 Nato-compatible aircraft is expected to secure Croatia’s air combat requirement for the next three decades. Preparations for the handover had been underway for some time since the Rafale was first selected in 2021. The ceremony was attended by several high-ranking Croatian officials, including Defence Minister Mario Banožić, and a delegation from the Croatian Armed Forces led by Chief of General Staff Admiral Robert Hranj.
The Rafale fighter is manufactured by the French company Dassault Aviation, with the twin-engine multirole aircraft among the most capable fourth-generation air combat platform available, and is able to perform a number of roles such as air defence, ground attack, and more.
Dassault Aviation occupies 5.6% of the European military fixed-wing aircraft market, anticipating earnings of $15.1bn. Major programs undertaken by the company include Rafale aircraft for France, Greece, and Croatia, according to GlobalData’s “Military Fixed Wing Aircraft Market 2023-2033” report.
A variety of other countries worldwide have procured the Rafale fighter aircraft. These include Egypt, Greece, India, Indonesia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
According to GlobalData’s ‘Defense Market 2022-2027” report, Croatia is acquiring 12 Rafale fighter jets to replace the ageing MiG-21 aircraft. The total contract cost is $960m, and forecast to be completed in 2025.
As the remaining Rafale aircraft are delivered, Croatia will continue strengthening its position as a key player in Nato amid a backdrop a Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. (Source: airforce-technology.com)
01 Oct 23. Royal Danish Air Force and Lockheed Martin Celebrate Arrival of First Four Danish F-35 Aircraft. The Kingdom of Denmark officially celebrated the in-country arrival of its first four permanently based F-35A Lightning II aircraft at Skrydstrup Air Base, Denmark.
During the ceremony, Lockheed Martin officially handed over the certificate of ownership of Denmark’s F-35s to the Danish Ministry of Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization. More than 450 Danish and allied government, military and industry leaders gathered to commemorate the milestone, and over 10,000 local citizens participated in the Royal Danish Air Force’s public open house. During the open house the public learned more about the F-35’s mission for Denmark, industry suppliers and witnessed the F-35 and F-16 on flying display.
“Arrival of the first F-35 combat aircraft in Denmark is a historic event for the Danish Defence and the Royal Danish Air Force. It is thanks to close and professional cooperation between Lockheed Martin, the F-35 partnership and the Danish Defence, that Danish Defence now cross the threshold into the future of air defence,” said Danish Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen.
Denmark has played a critical role on the F-35 program, joining in 2002 as a partner during the System Development and Demonstration phase, strategically influencing technical elements of the program. The Royal Danish Air Force also contributed a Danish F-16 to the Joint Strike Fighter 461st Flight Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base, California where it served as a chase plane for the F-35 Development, Test & Evaluation program. Danish industry has also contributed to F-35 production, development and sustainment activities and today, is building parts and components for each of the projected 3,100+ aircraft to be manufactured.
“This milestone event is the realization of the vision, foresight and strategic investment Denmark made more than a decade ago. We expect that the F-35 will play a crucial role in 21st century security missions for Denmark, delivering unmatched 5th Generation capability, connectivity and interoperability,” said Greg Ulmer, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. “The F-35 integrates joint forces, providing an unparalleled network effect across allied forces and significantly strengthening alliance-based deterrence across all domains.”
Denmark has taken delivery of 10 F-35s to date, four of which are now at Skrydstrup Air Base and six of which are stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, where Danish pilots and maintainers are conducting training. Denmark has plans to purchase 27 F-35 aircraft in total.
Denmark’s F-35 fleet will play a pivotal role in bolstering NATO’s collective resilience in the Baltics and strengthening the alliance’s ability to deter and defend against all threats across all domains. Denmark is the 10th country and fifth European NATO nation to operate the F-35 from its home soil. The F-35’s growing presence in Europe increases collaboration with trusted allies and partners through a multilateral, multinational approach, ensuring an effective deterrent against near-peer competitors.
By the mid-2030s, more than 600 F-35s will be stationed on the European continent across NATO member bases and Switzerland. NATO members in the F-35 program of record include Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the United States and the United Kingdom.
With the addition of Skrydstrup Air Base, F-35s are now operating from 31 bases worldwide. To date, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 975 F-35s, trained more than 2,180 pilots and 15,000 maintainers, and the F-35 fleet has surpassed more than 721,430 cumulative flight hours. Lockheed Martin continues to work side by side with F-35 operators to ensure allies remain ahead of the evolving threat.
PLANT CLOSURES, JOB LOSSES AND STRIKES
04 Oct 23. Patria Group “change negotiations” will involve redundancies.
The company undertook a restructure process in order to increase efficiencies and create a leaner corporate model, stated Patria’s CEO.
Finnish defence prime Patria has undertaken a six-week long negotiation period with its staff as it shifts its corporate operational model, aimed at meeting an increased demand for defence capabilities in the sector, as well as improving efficiencies.
The “change negotiations” began on 14 August with relevant personnel, stated a 3 October release, with the aim to create a corporate operating model that was “efficient and lean as possible”, according to Esa Rautalinko, Patria’s president and CEO.
“We now continue the change which started in the beginning of 2022 with Patria’s Horizon 2025 growth strategy. During the negotiations the focus was on Patria’s operations which did not significantly change during the previous operating model change,” Rautalinko said.
“By further improving our efficiency, operational activities and decision-making, we will improve also customer satisfaction and profitability.”
The Patria Group companies included in the negotiations were Patria Oyj, Patria Aviation Oy, Patria Aerostructures Oy, Patricomp Oy and Patria Land Oy. Patria’s Operations and Portfolio units as well as so-called group-level support functions in these companies were in the scope of negotiations.
The 3 October Patria release said the scope of the negotiations covered the group’s line managers and white-collar workers but excluded blue-collar workers with the exception of those in Patria Aviation Oy’s Engines, Components & Training Diesel Engines function in Linnavuori. In addition, as part of Operations unit, Patria Pilot Training Oy and Patria Aviation Oy’s Military Pilot Training were excluded from the scope of negotiations. (Source: naval-technology.com)
03 Oct 23. Royal Australian Navy decommissions two Armidale-class patrol vessels. The RAN will replace the Armidale- and Cape-class patrol vessels with a fleet of larger but less numerous Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) decommissioned two of its Armidale-class patrol vessels in September, as the service gradually transitions to the new, and more capable, Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).
The 17-year-old vessel HMAS Larrakia II and 15-year-old HMAS Maryborough II were decommissioned at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, on Larrakia country, according to a release from the Australian Department of Defence (DoD).
Both ships were involved in a variety of operations alongside the Australian Border Force, Australian Fisheries and the Australian Federal Police, the Australian DoD stated.
The Larrakia II deployed to the Solomon Islands to support the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force’s Covid-19 response in 2021. In 2017, the crew of Maryborough II responded to an engine-room fire and were awarded the Joint Operations Command Group Commendation for exceptional actions.
Over the course of its service, the Larrakia II sailed an average of 25,000 nautical miles (nm) per year, totalling more than 434,000nm, visiting Jakarta, Solomon Islands, Singapore, and Penang. The former HMAS Maryborough II was not far behind, averaging 23,700nm per year, and paying port calls to Singapore, Jakarta, Auckland, Honiara, and Palau during its service.
According to the Australian DoD patrol boats are the “primary enabler” of the ADF’s contribution to Operation Sovereign Borders and a key arm of Operation Resolute, a whole-of-government initiative to protect and secure the country’s maritime domain.
(Source: naval-technology.com)
MILITARY AND GOVERNMENT
PERSONNEL
06 Oct 23. AUKUS personnel collaborate on UK submarines for future security. Representatives from Australia and the US have joined Royal Navy personnel in Faslane to watch and understand how to maintain nuclear-powered submarines.
- First joint US and Australian AUKUS visit to the UK to support development of Australian submarine maintenance workforce.
- AUKUS personnel hosted in Faslane, Scotland.
- Maintenance of rotational submarine force under AUKUS partnership to boost global security.
Representatives from the Australian and US Submarine Support organisations have joined Royal Navy personnel in Faslane for the first time, to watch and understand how to maintain nuclear-powered submarines, which will support future global stability.
Forming an Advance Verification Team (AVT), subject matter experts from all three AUKUS nations have joined British shipyard personnel to develop their understanding of the maintenance and industrial skills required to maintain a nuclear-powered submarine.
Following a similar visit to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in August this year, the AVT learnt about the requirements needed to provide an Australian-based facility that can support both UK and US maintenance activity during a future forward-deployed submarine presence in the region.
Under the AUKUS partnership, the Royal Navy, with its Australian and US counterparts will work together to meet shared threats and uphold stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
This visit marks a tangible step forward for AUKUS delivery, driving knowledge-sharing and development in Australia that will be critical to the success of the programme.
Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge MP said:
The AUKUS partnership is a truly tangible demonstration of our ongoing commitment to global security.
These visits are crucial for teams from all three nations to understand how best to work together as we strike ahead on the AUKUS programme, delivering cutting-edge capability to protect ourselves, and our allies and partners, for decades to come.
Further to understanding how to maintain and support nuclear-powered submarines, the visit sought to build trilateral relationships and communications between the teams who will deliver the submarine rotational force.
Based in Faslane for two weeks, the AVT have spent time understanding and developing the skills needed to take the AUKUS partnership forward. The visit has successfully shown the extent of the similarities and differences between our ways of working, as well as highlighting areas that will best support the development of maintenance capability in Australia.
Rear Admiral Simon Asquith, Director Submarines, said: “This is an exciting moment for AUKUS delivery, marking initial trilateral efforts to ensure Australia can support US and UK submarine presence in Western Australia. The AVT successfully paved the way for future collaboration from all partner nations and we look forward to this continued close working with both Navies and industry going forward. The AUKUS partnership is a strategic endeavour that strengthens the three nations’ national security, promoting peace and stability. ”
Last month, the AUKUS partnership celebrated its two-year anniversary, and earlier this year the three AUKUS nations announced a way forward for the programme, with the first generation of AUKUS nuclear submarines to be built in the UK and Australia, based on the UK’s world-leading submarine design.
Last week, a further £4bn of investment was announced for the AUKUS partnership. The contracts will progress the programme through the design, prototyping and purchase of main long lead components for the first UK submarines, allowing construction to commence in the coming years and ensure the stability and resilience of our domestic supply chain.
Building on more than 60 years of British expertise in designing, building and operating nuclear-powered submarines, the contracts will support thousands of highly skilled jobs in the UK – a clear demonstration of how the AUKUS programme supports the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy.
The SSN-AUKUS submarines will be the largest, most advanced, and most powerful attack submarines ever operated by the Royal Navy, combining world-leading sensors, design, and weaponry in one vessel. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
06 Oct 23. Cadets’ health and well-being ‘in safe hands’ with new support group. Organisations join forces to protect cadets throughout their training. A group of dedicated industry professionals has been created to prioritise the health and well-being of cadets during training, both on land and at sea.
Young people are critical to the future of maritime, so it is important they feel safe and supported at every step of their cadet journey. While an opportunity for a new career and adventure, being a cadet is hard work, often with long periods away from home and family, learning new skills and technologies.
The aim of the Cadet Welfare Support Group is to protect the cadet throughout this training, ensuring the correct teaching, practice and conditions are consistent throughout, while providing an external support and intervention system.
Made up of representatives from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), the Merchant Navy Training Board and Nautilus International, the support group will investigate cadet health and safety issues as and when they arise, evaluating the risk to cadet’s safety and, if required, manage and implement a course of action.
The support group expects sponsoring companies and the trainers who manage cadets to provide adequate support, training and safe working conditions at all times when on board.
Maritime Minister Baroness Vere said:
We remain dedicated to supporting and protecting our seafarers.
The launch of the Cadet Welfare Support Group is yet another testament to our unwavering commitment to ensure that our cadets’ health and well-being are in safe hands. This initiative underscores MCA’s dedication to address concerns head-on and conduct thorough investigations when issues are raised.
Virginia McVea, Maritime and Coastguard Agency Chief Executive, said:
The Cadet Welfare Support Group is an opportunity to ensure the cadet training experience is the best it can be. Safer seas and shipping are at the forefront of the MCA’s work, and that starts with our cadets.
The safety and well-being of cadets while training is paramount – any issues experienced during this training will have a direct impact on the cadet’s mental and physical health.
Issues brought to the attention of the group will be dealt with as quickly as possible, to ensure the cadet’s safety is not at risk. (Source: https://www.gov.uk/)
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
25 Sep 23. President Joe Biden announced Wednesday his replacement for former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Colin Kahl, who led the defense policy shop since April 2021. Derek Chollet, who currently serves as the counselor at the State Department, was tapped by Biden after Kahl announced he would go back to teaching at Stanford University at the start of this school year. (Source: Defense News)
29 Sep 23. USAF Col. Michael J. Regan Jr. for appointment to the grade of brigadier general. Regan is currently serving as the assistant adjutant general–Air, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Annville, Pennsylvania.
INDUSTRY
INDUSTRY TEAMINGS
29 Sep 23. AITC Announces Strategic Partnership with FVLCRUM to Fuel Growth and Innovation. Concepts (AITC – www.aitcinc.com), LLC, a leading provider of state-of-the-art technology solutions to defense and federal agencies, announces a strategic partnership with FVLCRUM, a private equity firm with a focus on impact and growth.
Founded in 2006, AITC has expanded its services and footprint, providing IT infrastructure, Cyber Security, Live Training, Medical Simulation, Military Intelligence, and more to customers worldwide. Recent successes include securing contracts like ATMP, KSA, TEIS III, and IMCS IV.
To propel the company’s growth, AITC has partnered with FVLCRUM, a private equity firm possessing significant experience working with government contracting companies. FVLCRUM’s investment aims to provide resources and expertise to support AITC’s continued growth, while aligning with their commitment to customers and employees.
AITC Founder Gabriel Ruiz, LTC, USA (Ret) now the Company’s Managing Principal, shared, ” We are excited to partner with FVLCRUM and continue our story as a leading service provider to government agencies. “FVLCRUM’s investment will allow AITC to rapidly expand our growth efforts to digitally protect and transform the infrastructure of government agencies in the United States and around the world. We are thrilled to expand opportunities for our customers.”
David E. Gardner assumes the role of both CEO & President at AITC, ensuring the company’s ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality services and customer-focused solutions.
Ruiz expressed gratitude to all who contributed to AITC’s success, saying, “I want to thank those who have made this great moment possible. Welcome to AITC’s future!” Align BA served as financial advisor to AITC on this transaction. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
PERSONNEL
EUROPE APPOINTMENTS
29 Sep 23. Changes in Saab’s Group Management. Saab’s Chief Marketing Officer and Managing Director Saab UK, Dean Rosenfield, leaving Saab.
Dean Rosenfield will leave the role as Chief Marketing Officer and Managing Director Saab UK. On departure he will also leave his role in Saab’s Group Management. The process to find a replacement has been initiated. Dean will remain in his position until 29 February 2024 in order to ensure continued momentum and a structured handover.
“I have had a fantastic time over the last 22 years at Saab and am proud to have been part of an incredible journey. For personal reasons I am now choosing to leave Saab and move back to Australia to spend more time with my family,” says Dean Rosenfield.
Dean Rosenfield joined Saab in 2001 and was earlier Managing Director for Saab in Australia, Head of Market Area Asia Pacific. Prior to joining Saab he served in the Australian Army.
02 Oct 23. Thales announces a new appointment to the Board of Directors. Meeting on September 28, 2023, the Board of Directors of Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) has co-opted Loïc Rocard, Chairman and CEO of TechnicAtome, as an “External Director”, succeeding to Philippe Knoche. Loïc Rocard has also been appointed Chairman of the Governance and Compensation Committee. His term of office runs until the close of the Annual General Meeting called to approve the financial statements for fiscal year 2023.
U.S. APPOINTMENTS
05 Oct 23. Frontier Technology Inc. (FTI), a leading provider of mission-tailored technology, deep data expertise and services for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the Intelligence Community (IC), and other agencies of the Federal Government has added Defense Industry and Public Sector veteran Kay Kapoor to its Board of Directors. Kapoor’s results-oriented experience leading technology-focused organizations that serve government customers brings valuable insights to FTI, expanding its access to federal government and defense industry leaders, as well as technology decision-makers. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
29 Sep 23. Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE:HWM) announces that its Board of Directors has elected Gunner Smith, President – Roofing, Owens Corning, to serve as an independent director on the Board, effective September 29, 2023. Mr. Smith is currently the President of Owens Corning’s roofing business. He became a member of the Executive Committee of Owens Corning in August 2018. Prior to 2018, Mr. Smith served as the Vice President of Distribution and Home Center Sales for the roofing business at Owens Corning. From 2008 to 2018, he held various positions leading sales, marketing and pricing efforts for that business. Before joining Owens Corning, Mr. Smith was the National Sales Manager for the Georgia-Pacific brand at PlyGem Siding Group. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
02 Oct 23. The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) welcomeS Dr Bastian Giegerich to the role of Director-General and Chief Executive today. Bastian has had a long and distinguished career at the IISS, having first joined the Institute on a post-doctoral fellowship in 2005. He was appointed Director of the Institute’s Defence and Military Analysis research programme in 2015, and in 2021 he also served as Interim Executive Director of IISS–Europe to establish the IISS office in Berlin. From 2010 to 2015, he held senior research and policy roles in the Federal Ministry of Defence of Germany. He is the author and editor of several IISS Adelphi books and IISS Strategic Dossiers. Bastian is a German national. He was brought up in Bremen and Lower Saxony, before pursuing his first degree in political science at the University of Potsdam. He has made the UK his home since 2002, when he embarked on his PhD in international relations at the London School of Economics.
02 Oct 23. The Utah Aerospace and Defense Association announced today that former Congressman Chris Stewart will serve as their newly appointed chair. Stewart is well known nationally for his leadership on aerospace and defense policy, having served as a member of the United States (U.S.) House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. Stewart also recently announced a government relations consulting partnership with former U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien. (Source: PR Newswire)
02 Oct 23. V2X, Inc. (NYSE: VVX), today announced Shawn Mural has been appointed as its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). In this role, Mural will oversee all finance and accounting functions, including controllership, finance operations, planning, tax, treasury, investor relations, and corporate development. (Source: PR Newswire)