February 1, 2021 | International, Aerospace
By: Valerie Insinna
WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin announced Jan. 29 the appointment of Greg Ulmer as the company's executive vice president of aeronautics, making him the top executive overseeing flagship aviation programs such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter as well as the secretive Skunk Works development shop.
Ulmer, 56, has spent the past three years leading the F-35 program, Lockheed's largest effort and one of its biggest money makers. As vice president and general manager, Ulmer oversaw the program as the focus transitioned from development to driving down procurement and sustainment costs.
He also previously worked as the head of operations at Skunk Works, the advanced development arm of Lockheed known for its work on secret projects.
“With Greg's wide-ranging experience and impressive record of leadership, we are confident that Aeronautics will continue its legacy of success under his leadership,” said Lockheed President and CEO Jim Taiclet.
Ulmer replaces Michele Evans, who passed away earlier this month. Over the past two years, Evans had taken medical leaves of absence due to a cancer diagnosis. During those periods, Ulmer filled in as the head of the aeronautics business.
He officially takes over the executive vice president role on Feb. 1, the company stated.
Ulmer graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering and obtained a master's degree in business management from the University of Tennessee.
In addition to Ulmer's appointment, the company announced that Taiclet will become chairman of the board on March 1, after former CEO Marillyn Hewson retires as executive chairman. Hewson will continue work as a strategic adviser to Taiclet until Feb. 28, 2022.
https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2021/01/29/lockheeds-f-35-program-head-to-lead-aeronautics-biz
June 2, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval
The Navy issued a sources sought notice on May 26 as part of its market research to gather industry responses for a future Multi-Engine Training System (METS) aircraft procurement. The METS effort aims to replace the Chief of Naval Air Training's (CNATRA) https://www.defensedaily.com/navy-seeks-new-multi-engine-trainer-aircraft/navy-usmc/
January 20, 2022 | International, Aerospace
La nouvelle stratégie de soutien des matériels aéronautiques des armées « commence à porter ses fruits », relève La Tribune. Lors d'un point presse en ce début d'année, le ministère des Armées a communiqué sur les succès de la stratégie de contrats verticalisés. En 2017, pour le MCO d'un aéronef, le ministère pouvait passer jusqu'à 30 contrats de maintenance différents, là où il y a désormais pour chaque flotte un maître d'œuvre de la maintenance, avec un guichet unique pour la logistique, explique La Tribune. La durée des contrats a également été allongée (jusqu'à 14 ans pour la flotte Mirage 2000). « L'industriel a tous les leviers en main. Il dispose de la visibilité, de la durée, il a l'ensemble de la chaîne à sa responsabilité. Il peut donc planifier, il peut donc recruter, il peut investir, il peut innover, il peut anticiper les obsolescences techniques. Il a une rémunération incitative qui est fondée majoritairement sur le nombre d'heures de vol, ce qui lui donne une motivation à ce que nos forces puissent voler », a fait valoir Monique Legrand-Larroche, directrice de la DMAé (Direction de la Maintenance Aéronautique). La Tribune du 19 janvier
February 1, 2021 | International, Aerospace
Thursday, 28 January 2021 Autonomous ‘loyal wingman' aircraft create the opportunity to expand, diversify and rapidly upgrade combat Air Forces in a cost-effective way - so the UK has committed funding for a new prototype. The UK's first fleet of uncrewed fighter aircraft is one step closer to reality following a £30-million contract to design and manufacture a prototype in a three-year deal supporting more than 100 jobs in Belfast. The uncrewed combat aircraft will be designed to fly at high-speed alongside fighter jets, armed with missiles, surveillance and electronic warfare technology to provide a battle-winning advantage over hostile forces. Known as a ‘loyal wingman', these aircraft will be the UK's first uncrewed platforms able to target and shoot down enemy aircraft and survive against surface to air missiles. In a boost for Northern Ireland's defence industry, Spirit AeroSystems, Belfast, has been selected to lead Team MOSQUITO in the next phase of the project. Using ground-breaking engineering techniques, the team will further develop the RAF's Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Aircraft (LANCA) concept, with a full-scale vehicle flight-test programme expected by the end of 2023. Northern Ireland Secretary, Brandon Lewis says: "This is fantastic news and underlines the distinct strengths in Northern Ireland's economy, through its advanced engineering and manufacturing capabilities. This ground-breaking project will involve significant investment which will not only support local employment, but also reinforce Northern Ireland's contribution to the security of our nation." Team MOSQUITO, which also includes Northrop Grumman UK, will mature the designs and manufacture a technology demonstrator to generate evidence for a follow-on LANCA programme. If successful, Project Mosquito's findings could lead to this revolutionary capability being deployed alongside the Typhoon and F-35 Lightning jets by the end of the decade. Defence Minister, Jeremy Quin said: "This is a great win for the Northern Ireland defence industry and will showcase some of the most pioneering engineering work currently being undertaken in the UK. The £30 million project will accelerate the development of the UK's future air power by delivering cutting-edge uncrewed aircraft, maintaining our position as a world leader in emerging technologies." Working with innovative partners from across the UK, Project Mosquito is transforming traditional approaches to combat air to enable the rapid development of technology. By utilising the latest software development techniques and civilian aerospace engineering and manufacturing expertise, the project will deliver dramatic reductions in costs and development timelines, so their innovations can reach the front-line quicker than ever before. This game changing research and development project will ensure the final aircraft design will be capable of being easily and affordably updated with the latest technology so we remain one step ahead of our adversaries. The aircraft's flexibility will provide the optimum protection, survivability and information as it flies alongside Typhoon, F-35 Lightning, and later, Tempest as part of our future combat air system. Air Chief Marshal Mike Wigston, Chief of the Air Staff says: "We're taking a revolutionary approach, looking at a game-changing mix of swarming drones and uncrewed fighter aircraft like Mosquito, alongside piloted fighters like Tempest, that will transform the combat battlespace in a way not seen since the advent of the jet age." Director Future Combat Air, Richard Berthon adds: "Project Mosquito is a vital element of our approach to Future Combat Air, rapidly bringing to life design, build and test skills for next generation combat air capabilities. Autonomous ‘loyal wingman' aircraft create the opportunity to expand, diversify and rapidly upgrade Combat Air Forces in a cost-effective way, now and in the future." As announced by the Prime Minister in November 2020, the UK's Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme is set to benefit from a portion of the extra £1.5 billion investment into military research and development, which will help ensure our Armed Forces are prepared to meet the threats of tomorrow. LANCA originated in 2015 in Dstl to understand innovative Combat Air technologies and concepts that offer radical reductions in cost and development time and is a RAF Rapid Capabilities Office led project under the Future Combat Air System Technology Initiative (FCAS TI). The UK MOD's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) provides the project management and is the MOD's technical authority for LANCA and Project Mosquito on behalf of the RCO. https://www.airframer.com/news_story.html?report=20244